which organ in the body is responsible for maintaining electrolyte balance and filtering waste from the blood

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS 7 Science

1. Which organ in the body is responsible for maintaining electrolyte balance and filtering waste from the blood?

A. Liver
B. Kidneys
C. Heart
D. Lungs

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Kidneys. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste from the blood and maintaining electrolyte balance. They help regulate the body's fluid levels and produce urine as a means of waste elimination. The liver primarily plays a role in detoxification and metabolism, not in maintaining electrolyte balance or filtering waste from the blood. The heart is responsible for pumping blood, not for electrolyte balance or waste filtration. The lungs are primarily involved in gas exchange, not in maintaining electrolyte balance or filtering waste from the blood.

2. What is the purpose of an electrocardiogram?

A. Indicate the rate of blood flow
B. Display the heart's rate and rhythm
C. Identify a person's blood group type
D. Determine cell type in a blood sample

Correct answer: B

Rationale: An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is used to measure and display the heart's rate and rhythm. It provides valuable information about the electrical activity of the heart, allowing healthcare providers to assess the heart's health, detect abnormalities in the heart's rhythm, and diagnose various cardiac conditions. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Choice A is incorrect because an ECG does not indicate the rate of blood flow but rather focuses on the heart's electrical activity. Choice C is incorrect because identifying a person's blood group type is typically done through blood typing tests, not ECG. Choice D is incorrect because determining cell type in a blood sample is unrelated to the purpose of an ECG.

3. Differentiate between gene therapy and genetic engineering in the context of human intervention.

A. Gene therapy aims to modify existing genes within body cells, while genetic engineering manipulates genes in embryos to be passed on to offspring.
B. Gene therapy focuses on treating genetic diseases, while genetic engineering enhances desirable traits or eliminates undesirable ones.
C. Both involve directly altering the DNA sequence, but gene therapy targets somatic cells and genetic engineering modifies germline cells.
D. There is no fundamental difference; both terms are synonymous.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A) Incorrect. Gene therapy does aim to modify existing genes within body cells, but genetic engineering does not necessarily manipulate genes in embryos to be passed on to offspring. Genetic engineering can involve modifying genes in any type of cell, not just embryos. B) Correct. Gene therapy is a medical intervention that aims to treat genetic diseases by correcting or replacing faulty genes within an individual's body cells. On the other hand, genetic engineering involves modifying genes to enhance specific traits or eliminate undesirable ones, often in the context of agriculture or biotechnology. C) Incorrect. While both gene therapy and genetic engineering involve altering DNA sequences, the distinction lies in the target cells. Gene therapy targets somatic cells (non-reproductive cells), while genetic engineering typically involves modifying germline cells (reproductive cells that can pass on genetic changes to offspring). D) Incorrect. There is

4. The average life expectancy at birth in the United States at the beginning of the 21st century was about 75 years. The average life expectancy at birth in the middle of the 19th century was only about 40 years. Which of the following factors are likely to have contributed to the longer life expectancy in the 21st century? (Select the one that does not apply)

A. The human body has evolved to become more resilient to its environment.
B. There have been numerous advances in medical technology and treatments.
C. Higher standards of basic cleanliness have helped people avoid illness.
D. The creation of vaccines has nearly eliminated certain diseases that were once deadly.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Medical advances, higher standards of cleanliness, and the creation of vaccines have all significantly contributed to the increase in life expectancy over time. While human evolution plays a role in adaptation to the environment over millennia, it is not a primary factor that has led to the substantial increase in life expectancy within a few centuries. The human body's evolution is a slow process that occurs over generations, while the advancements in medical technology, cleanliness, and vaccines have had a more immediate and direct impact on improving life expectancy.

5. Which valve prevents the backflow of blood into the left ventricle as it leaves through the aorta?

A. Pulmonary semilunar valve
B. Aortic semilunar valve
C. Tricuspid valve
D. Mitral valve

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The aortic semilunar valve is the correct answer as it prevents the backflow of blood into the left ventricle once it has been pumped into the aorta. The pulmonary semilunar valve prevents backflow into the right ventricle, the tricuspid valve controls blood flow between the right atrium and ventricle, and the mitral valve regulates blood flow between the left atrium and ventricle. Therefore, option B is the correct choice for this question.