which of the following describes a cells reaction to being placed in a hypertonic solution

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS 7 Science Practice Test

1. What describes a cell’s reaction to being placed in a hypertonic solution?

A. The cell will shrink as water is pulled out of the cell to equalize the concentrations inside and outside of the cell.
B. The cell will swell as water is pulled into the cell to equalize the concentrations inside and outside of the cell.
C. The cell will remain the same size since the concentrations inside and outside the cell are equal to begin with.
D. The pH inside the cell will drop in order to equalize the pH inside and outside the cell.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A cell placed in a hypertonic solution has a higher solute concentration outside the cell compared to inside. This creates a concentration gradient that causes water to move out of the cell through osmosis to equalize the concentrations on both sides. As a result, the cell will shrink or undergo plasmolysis, as water is pulled out of the cell. Choice B is incorrect because a hypertonic solution causes water to move out of the cell, leading to shrinkage rather than swelling. Choice C is incorrect as a hypertonic solution results in a concentration gradient that leads to water leaving the cell, causing it to shrink. Choice D is incorrect because pH is not directly affected by being placed in a hypertonic solution; the change in solute concentration primarily impacts water movement.

2. Which of the following choices would contain the code for making a protein?

A. mRNA
B. tRNA
C. rRNA
D. DNA polymerase

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: mRNA (messenger RNA). mRNA contains the genetic code or instructions for making a protein. During protein synthesis, mRNA carries the genetic information from DNA in the cell nucleus to the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized. The sequence of nucleotides in mRNA corresponds to the sequence of amino acids that will be used to build the protein. Choice B, tRNA (transfer RNA), is involved in carrying amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis but does not contain the code for making a protein. Choice C, rRNA (ribosomal RNA), is a component of ribosomes where protein synthesis occurs but does not contain the specific code for making a protein. Choice D, DNA polymerase, is an enzyme involved in DNA replication, not in directly coding for protein synthesis.

3. What is the difference between heat and temperature?

A. They are the same thing.
B. Heat is a form of energy, while temperature measures the average kinetic energy of particles.
C. Heat flows from cold to hot, while temperature flows from hot to cold.
D. Heat is measured in Celsius, while temperature is measured in Joules.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Heat and temperature are distinct concepts. Heat is a form of energy that transfers from a higher temperature object to a lower temperature object, while temperature represents the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance. Heat is quantified in units like Joules or calories, whereas temperature is typically gauged in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit. Therefore, choice B correctly distinguishes between heat and temperature, making it the correct answer. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately define the difference between heat and temperature. Choice A erroneously suggests they are the same, choice C confuses the direction of heat and temperature flow, and choice D provides inaccurate units for measuring heat and temperature.

4. Which property remains constant despite possible changes to the element?

A. Atomic number
B. Number of electrons
C. Atomic mass
D. Isotopic form

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Atomic number' (A). The atomic number of an element remains constant as it defines the number of protons in the nucleus, which does not change despite various chemical reactions or physical processes affecting the element. The number of protons in the nucleus determines the identity of the element, and this fundamental property remains unchanged even if the element undergoes chemical reactions, forms ions, or changes its physical state. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the number of electrons (B) can change in chemical reactions, atomic mass (C) can vary with isotopes, and isotopic form (D) refers to variations in the number of neutrons in the nucleus, which can result in different isotopes of an element.

5. Which property of a wave is measured in Hertz (Hz)?

A. Amplitude
B. Wavelength
C. Speed
D. Frequency

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Frequency is the property of a wave that is measured in Hertz (Hz). It represents the number of complete cycles of the wave that occur in one second. Amplitude refers to the height of the wave, wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points on a wave that are in phase, and speed is the rate at which the wave travels through a medium. Therefore, the correct answer is frequency as it directly corresponds to the unit Hertz (Hz) used to measure the number of wave cycles per second.