which of the following is the function of the pleurae

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS Practice Test Science

1. What is the function of the pleurae?

A. To compartmentalize and lubricate the lungs
B. To facilitate the flow of air
C. To produce mucus
D. To serve as the passageway for air

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The pleurae play a crucial role in compartmentalizing and lubricating the lungs. The pleura is a double-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity. This double-layered structure reduces friction between the lungs and the chest wall during breathing movements, allowing smooth expansion and contraction of the lungs. Options B, C, and D are incorrect. Option B, 'To facilitate the flow of air,' is incorrect because while the pleurae are involved in the respiratory process, their primary function is not to directly facilitate the flow of air. Option C, 'To produce mucus,' is incorrect as the production of mucus is not a primary function of the pleurae. Option D, 'To serve as the passageway for air,' is incorrect as the passageway for air refers to the air passages like the trachea and bronchi, not the pleurae. Therefore, option A is correct as it accurately describes the function of the pleurae.

2. Which of the following is NOT a common route of transmission for a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?

A. Unprotected sexual contact
B. Sharing contaminated needles
C. Deep kissing
D. Mother to child during childbirth

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Unprotected sexual contact is a common route of transmission for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as many STIs are spread through genital, anal, or oral sex without the use of barrier protection such as condoms. B) Sharing contaminated needles can also transmit STIs such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, especially among individuals who inject drugs. C) Deep kissing, while it can transmit certain infections like herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) or cytomegalovirus (CMV), is not a common route of transmission for most STIs. Although some STIs can be transmitted through saliva, deep kissing is not a primary mode of transmission for most STIs. D) Mother to child transmission during childbirth can occur with certain STIs such as HIV, syphilis, and herpes, where the infection can be passed from the mother to the baby during delivery. Therefore, deep kissing (option C) is the correct answer as it is not a typical route of transmission for most STIs.

3. Which of the following describes an experiment?

A. The final math grades for a group of students passing through each year of elementary school are examined.
B. The health trends of smokers in a small random sample are examined.
C. Citizens in a local community are surveyed to determine concerns related to the next election.
D. The effects of a new drug are tested on a group of participants.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Option D describes an experiment because it involves testing the effects of a new drug on a group of participants. In an experiment, researchers intentionally manipulate an independent variable (in this case, the new drug) to observe its effects on a dependent variable (the participants' health outcomes). This method allows for establishing cause-and-effect relationships between variables, which is a key characteristic of experimental research design. Choices A, B, and C do not represent experiments. Choice A involves observational analysis of math grades, choice B involves observational analysis of health trends, and choice C involves a survey, none of which involve manipulating variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

4. What is the term for the small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide) takes place?

A. Bronchi
B. Alveoli
C. Trachea
D. Bronchioles

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Alveoli. The alveoli are the small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen from the air we breathe passes into the bloodstream through the alveoli, while carbon dioxide from the bloodstream passes out of the body through the alveoli. Choice A, Bronchi, are the main airways in the lungs and not the site of gas exchange. Choice C, Trachea, refers to the windpipe, which is a different structure than the alveoli. Choice D, Bronchioles, are smaller airways branching off from the bronchi and are not where gas exchange primarily occurs.

5. Which hormone is responsible for lowering blood sugar levels?

A. Glucagon
B. Insulin
C. Adrenaline
D. Cortisol

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Insulin is the hormone responsible for lowering blood sugar levels. It is produced by the pancreas and facilitates the entry of glucose into cells, thereby reducing blood sugar levels. Glucagon, adrenaline, and cortisol have roles in increasing blood sugar levels through various mechanisms. Glucagon raises blood sugar levels by stimulating the liver to release stored glucose, adrenaline increases blood sugar in fight-or-flight responses, and cortisol raises blood sugar levels as part of the stress response. Therefore, in the context of lowering blood sugar levels, insulin is the correct answer.