which organ is responsible for filtering waste from the blood

ATI TEAS 7

Practice Science TEAS Test

1. Which organ is responsible for filtering waste from the blood?

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

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Kidneys. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood, maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance. The pancreas aids in digestion and regulates blood sugar levels. The liver processes nutrients, detoxifies chemicals, and produces bile. The heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. Choice B, Pancreas, is incorrect because the pancreas plays a role in digestion and blood sugar regulation, not in filtering waste from the blood. Choice C, Liver, is incorrect as the liver processes nutrients, detoxifies chemicals, and produces bile, but it is not primarily responsible for filtering waste from the blood. Choice D, Heart, is incorrect as the heart's main function is pumping blood throughout the body, not filtering waste from the blood.

2. What is the significance of studying pedigrees in human genetics?

A. Predicting the exact outcome of genetic crosses in humans.
B. Tracing the inheritance of complex traits with multiple contributing genes.
C. Identifying carriers of dominant genetic disorders.
D. Determining the risk of acquiring a specific mutation de novo.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Pedigrees are diagrams that show the relationships within a family and can be used to track the inheritance patterns of specific traits or diseases. While pedigrees can provide information on the inheritance of single gene disorders (such as identifying carriers of dominant genetic disorders, as mentioned in option C), their primary significance lies in studying complex traits with multiple contributing genes. These traits do not follow simple Mendelian inheritance patterns and are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. By analyzing pedigrees, researchers can identify patterns of inheritance for complex traits, such as polygenic diseases or traits influenced by gene-environment interactions. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate choice as it captures the main significance of studying pedigrees in human genetics.

3. If a biochemist isolates a large amount of pyruvate, which part of the cell is he working with?

A. Chloroplasts
B. Cytoplasm
C. Mitochondria
D. Nucleus

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cytoplasm. Pyruvate is a product of glycolysis, a metabolic pathway that takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell. Therefore, a biochemist isolating a large amount of pyruvate would be working with the cytoplasm of the cell. Choice A, Chloroplasts, is incorrect because pyruvate is not produced in chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis. Choice C, Mitochondria, is incorrect as pyruvate is produced in the cytoplasm before entering the mitochondria for further metabolism. Choice D, Nucleus, is incorrect as the nucleus is not involved in the production or isolation of pyruvate, which is a metabolic intermediate.

4. With which genotype would the recessive phenotype appear if the dominant allele is marked with 'A' and the recessive allele is marked with 'a'?

A. AA
B. aa
C. Aa
D. aA

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The recessive phenotype appears when an individual has two copies of the recessive allele. In this case, the recessive allele is marked with 'a.' Therefore, the genotype 'aa' would display the recessive phenotype as both alleles are recessive. Choice A (AA) has two dominant alleles, choice C (Aa) has one dominant and one recessive allele, and choice D (aA) represents the same genotype as Aa due to the principle of allele dominance.

5. Which of the following is a representation of a natural pattern or occurrence that is difficult or impossible to experience directly?

A. A theory
B. A model
C. A law
D. An observation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A model is a representation of a natural pattern or occurrence that is difficult or impossible to experience directly. Models are used to simplify complex systems or phenomena to aid in understanding or making predictions about them. The other options (A, C, and D) do not specifically refer to representations of natural patterns or occurrences as models do. A theory is an explanation based on observations, experiments, and reasoning. A law is a statement that describes a consistent natural phenomenon observed to occur without exception. An observation is a direct result of perceiving something using the senses, without being a representation or abstraction of a natural pattern.