which of the following structures prevents food from entering the windpipe

ATI TEAS 7

Practice TEAS Science Test

1. Which of the following structures prevents food from entering the windpipe?

A. Pharynx
B. Esophagus
C. Larynx
D. Epiglottis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The epiglottis is the structure that prevents food from entering the windpipe by covering the trachea during swallowing. When food is swallowed, the epiglottis folds over the opening of the trachea to ensure that food goes down the esophagus and not into the airway. The pharynx is a shared pathway for both food and air, leading to the esophagus and larynx respectively. The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. The larynx is responsible for producing sound and protecting the airway during swallowing, but the epiglottis is specifically designed to prevent food from entering the windpipe.

2. Which statement confirms that the cell membrane is selectively permeable?

A. Receptors are found on a cell's surface.
B. Cells communicate with each other using cell signals.
C. Environmental changes can cause a cell to expand or shrink.
D. Sodium ions must travel through ion channels to enter the cell.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because selective permeability is demonstrated by the fact that specific ions, such as sodium, require ion channels to cross the cell membrane. This process allows the cell to control what substances can enter or exit, highlighting the selective nature of the cell membrane. Choices A, B, and C do not directly relate to the concept of selective permeability of the cell membrane. Receptors on a cell's surface (Choice A) are involved in cell signaling rather than selective permeability. Cell communication through signals (Choice B) and environmental changes affecting cell size (Choice C) are not directly related to the selective permeability of the cell membrane, which specifically refers to the regulation of substances passing through the membrane.

3. When ethanol (C₂H₅OH) reacts with sodium metal (Na), what is the product?

A. Ethene (C₂H₄)
B. Sodium ethoxide (C₂H₅ONa)
C. Ethane (C₂H₆)
D. Sodium acetate (CH₃COONa)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When ethanol (C₂H₅OH) reacts with sodium metal (Na), the product formed is Sodium ethoxide (C₂H₅ONa). This reaction is a classic example of a metal displacing hydrogen in an alcohol to form an alkoxide. In this specific case, sodium replaces the hydrogen in ethanol, resulting in the formation of sodium ethoxide. Choice A, Ethene (C₂H₄), is incorrect as it is a different compound formed from the dehydration of ethanol, not its reaction with sodium. Choice C, Ethane (C₂H₆), is incorrect as it is a saturated hydrocarbon, not the product of the reaction of ethanol with sodium metal. Choice D, Sodium acetate (CH₃COONa), is incorrect as it involves acetic acid, not ethanol, reacting with sodium to form the salt sodium acetate.

4. Which organelle in the cell is responsible for protein synthesis?

A. Ribosome
B. Nucleus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Golgi apparatus

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ribosome. Ribosomes are the organelles responsible for protein synthesis in the cell. They are the cellular machinery where translation, the process of assembling proteins from amino acids based on mRNA sequences, occurs. Ribosomes can be found floating freely in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. The nucleus (choice B) houses DNA but is not directly involved in protein synthesis. Mitochondria (choice C) are responsible for energy production through cellular respiration, not protein synthesis. The Golgi apparatus (choice D) is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion, not in the synthesis of proteins.

5. In meiosis, how many divisions occur, and how many daughter cells are produced?

A. One division, two daughter cells
B. Two divisions, four daughter cells
C. Four divisions, eight daughter cells
D. Eight divisions, sixteen daughter cells

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In meiosis, there are two divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II. During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes separate, resulting in two daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. In meiosis II, sister chromatids separate, resulting in a total of four daughter cells, each with a haploid set of chromosomes. Therefore, meiosis involves two divisions and produces four daughter cells. Choice A is incorrect because meiosis involves two divisions, not one. Choice C and D are incorrect as meiosis does not go through four or eight divisions, resulting in eight or sixteen daughter cells.