which part of the brain is responsible for balance and coordination

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS Science Questions

1. Which part of the brain is responsible for balance and coordination?

A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Thalamus

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the cerebellum. The cerebellum is responsible for balance, coordination, and fine motor control. It integrates sensory information from the vestibular system in the inner ear and proprioceptive information from muscles and joints to coordinate voluntary movements. The cerebrum is primarily involved in higher brain functions like thinking and decision-making. The medulla oblongata controls vital autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate. The thalamus serves as a relay station for sensory information before sending it to the cerebral cortex for further processing.

2. What is the difference between isometric and isotonic muscle contractions?

A. Isometric involves movement, while isotonic does not.
B. Isotonic involves shortening of muscle, while isometric maintains length.
C. Isometric uses more energy, while isotonic uses less.
D. Isotonic involves smooth muscle, while isometric involves skeletal muscle.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Isometric contractions occur when the muscle generates tension without changing its length, while isotonic contractions involve the muscle changing length to move a load. In isotonic contractions, the muscle shortens to move a load, whereas in isometric contractions, the muscle contracts to hold a position without movement. Choice A is incorrect because isometric contractions do not involve movement, while choice C is incorrect as isotonic contractions typically require more energy due to movement. Choice D is incorrect because the type of muscle involved (smooth or skeletal) is not the defining factor between isometric and isotonic contractions.

3. What is the role of the spindle apparatus in cell division?

A. To separate sister chromatids
B. To move chromosomes to opposite poles of the cell
C. To form a new nuclear envelope around each daughter cell
D. To synthesize new DNA

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The spindle apparatus, composed of microtubules, plays a crucial role in cell division (mitosis and meiosis) by ensuring proper chromosome separation and distribution to opposite poles of the cell. This segregation is vital for creating two genetically identical daughter cells in mitosis or four haploid daughter cells in meiosis. Choice A is incorrect because the separation of sister chromatids is specifically carried out by kinetochore fibers within the spindle apparatus. Choice C is inaccurate as the formation of a new nuclear envelope occurs post chromosome segregation. Choice D is incorrect as DNA synthesis does not occur within the spindle apparatus; it takes place during the S phase of the cell cycle.

4. What is the difference between polygenic inheritance and pleiotropy?

A. Polygenic inheritance involves multiple genes influencing one trait, while pleiotropy involves one gene affecting multiple traits.
B. Polygenic inheritance is found in simple Mendelian traits, while pleiotropy is found in complex traits.
C. Polygenic inheritance is always quantitative, while pleiotropy can be qualitative or quantitative.
D. Both involve multiple genes and multiple traits, but the specific mechanisms differ

Correct answer: A

Rationale: - Polygenic inheritance refers to the situation where a trait is influenced by multiple genes, each contributing a small effect to the phenotype. These traits often show continuous variation and are not easily categorized into discrete categories. - Pleiotropy, on the other hand, occurs when a single gene influences multiple, seemingly unrelated traits. This means that a mutation in one gene can lead to multiple phenotypic effects across different traits or characteristics. - Therefore, the key difference between polygenic inheritance and pleiotropy lies in the number of genes involved in influencing a trait (multiple genes in polygenic inheritance vs. one gene in pleiotropy) and the direction of influence (one trait affected by multiple genes in polygenic inheritance vs. multiple traits affected by one gene in pleiotropy).

5. When light reflects from a surface, what determines the angle of reflection?

A. The material of the surface
B. The wavelength of the light
C. The angle of incidence
D. The intensity of the light

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The angle of reflection is determined by the angle of incidence according to the law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. When light reflects off a surface, the angle at which it strikes the surface (angle of incidence) is the key factor in determining the angle at which it reflects (angle of reflection). The material of the surface, the wavelength of the light, and the intensity of the light do not directly influence the angle of reflection in this context. Therefore, the correct answer is the angle of incidence (Choice C). The material of the surface (Choice A) does affect other properties like reflectivity but does not directly determine the angle of reflection. The wavelength of the light (Choice B) determines its color or frequency but not the angle of reflection. The intensity of the light (Choice D) is related to the brightness of the light but does not dictate the angle at which light reflects from a surface.