which part of the brainstem controls heart rate and breathing

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS 7 science practice questions

1. Which part of the brainstem controls heart rate and breathing?

A. Medulla oblongata
B. Pons
C. Midbrain
D. Thalamus

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The medulla oblongata is a critical part of the brainstem responsible for regulating essential functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. It houses centers that oversee these involuntary processes, making it the correct answer. The pons, midbrain, and thalamus do not primarily control heart rate and breathing, thus making them incorrect choices for this question.

2. What is the term used to describe the inability of the kidneys to effectively filter waste products from the blood?

A. Dehydration
B. Kidney failure
C. Incontinence
D. Nephritis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Kidney failure is the term used to describe the inability of the kidneys to effectively filter waste products from the blood. Dehydration refers to insufficient fluid intake and not the kidney's filtering function. Incontinence is the loss of bladder control, not related to kidney filtration. Nephritis is the inflammation of the kidneys, not specifically related to the kidneys' inability to filter waste products.

3. Which statement most accurately compares and contrasts the structures of DNA and RNA?

A. Both DNA and RNA have 4 nucleotide bases. Three of the bases are the same, but the fourth base is thymine in DNA and uracil in RNA.
B. Both DNA and RNA have the same 4 nucleotide bases. However, the nucleotides bond differently in DNA compared to RNA.
C. Both DNA and RNA have different numbers of nucleotide bases. DNA is a double helix while RNA is a single strand.
D. Both DNA and RNA have a double helix structure. However, DNA contains 6 nucleotide bases and RNA contains 4 nucleotide bases.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because DNA and RNA both consist of 4 nucleotide bases, namely adenine, cytosine, and guanine, which are common in both. The key difference lies in the fourth base, which is thymine in DNA and uracil in RNA. This distinction is fundamental in understanding the structural variances between DNA and RNA. Choice B is incorrect as it incorrectly states that the nucleotides bond differently in DNA compared to RNA without specifying the crucial base differences. Choice C is inaccurate as it misrepresents the numbers of nucleotide bases in DNA and RNA, and incorrectly describes DNA as a double helix and RNA as a single strand, which is not related to the difference in bases. Choice D is incorrect as it inaccurately portrays DNA with 6 nucleotide bases and RNA with 4, which is not true; both DNA and RNA have 4 nucleotide bases, but with differences in one of the bases.

4. Which gland produces the hormone responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response in stressful situations?

A. Thyroid gland
B. Pituitary gland
C. Adrenal gland
D. Pancreas

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Adrenal gland. The hormone responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response in stressful situations is produced by the adrenal gland. This hormone is called adrenaline (epinephrine) and is released in response to stress, preparing the body to either fight the stressor or flee from it. The other choices are incorrect because the thyroid gland primarily produces hormones that regulate metabolism, the pituitary gland produces various hormones that control other endocrine glands, and the pancreas produces insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels.

5. Identify the organ responsible for blood filtration.

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

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Kidneys. The kidneys are the organs responsible for blood filtration in the human body. They filter waste products and excess substances from the blood to produce urine. The liver is primarily involved in detoxification and metabolism, the spleen functions in immune responses and blood storage, and the pancreas aids in digestion and blood sugar regulation. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not primarily serve the function of blood filtration.