which statement most accurately compares and contrasts the structures of dna and rna

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS 7 Science Practice Test

1. 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.

2. Which of the following is the main organ responsible for producing bile?

A. Liver
B. Gallbladder
C. Pancreas
D. Stomach

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The liver is the main organ responsible for producing bile. Bile, a greenish-yellow fluid, is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Its primary function is to aid in the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. When needed, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine to facilitate fat digestion. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and insulin, not bile, making choice C incorrect. The stomach's primary role is to digest food through gastric juice secretion, making choice D incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is the liver, as it is the main organ responsible for bile production.

3. Where does most of the chemical digestion and absorption of nutrients occur?

A. Mouth
B. Stomach
C. Small intestine
D. Large intestine

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The small intestine is the primary site for both chemical digestion and absorption of nutrients in the digestive system. The lining of the small intestine is equipped with villi and microvilli, which significantly increase the surface area available for absorption. Enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver play crucial roles in further breaking down food into absorbable molecules that can pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. While the stomach assists in mechanical breakdown and initial protein digestion, it is not the main site of nutrient absorption. The large intestine, on the other hand, mainly absorbs water and electrolytes from undigested food particles. The mouth aids in initial mechanical breakdown and some carbohydrate digestion, but the majority of nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine, making it the correct answer.

4. What is the technical term for the involuntary muscular contractions that move food through the digestive tract?

A. Segmentation
B. Peristalsis
C. Chylification
D. Emulsification

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Peristalsis is the term used to describe the involuntary muscular contractions that move food through the digestive tract. This process involves rhythmic contractions and relaxations of the muscles in the digestive system, which help propel food from the esophagus to the stomach and through the intestines for digestion and absorption of nutrients. Segmentation refers to the mixing movements in the intestines that aid in the absorption of nutrients but is not the term for the movement of food through the digestive tract. Chylification is not a recognized term in digestive physiology. Emulsification is the process of breaking down fat globules into smaller droplets to aid in digestion, not the movement of food through the digestive tract.

5. How can you predict the charge of an ion formed by an element based on its position on the periodic table?

A. Look for elements with similar atomic weights
B. Identify the group number, which often indicates the typical ionic charge
C. Identify the period number to determine the ionic charge
D. Analyze the element's position within the group

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The group number of an element on the periodic table often indicates the typical ionic charge it will form. Elements in the same group tend to have similar chemical properties, including the tendency to gain or lose electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. This predictable pattern allows us to anticipate the charge of an ion formed by an element based on its position in the periodic table. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because predicting the charge of an ion is primarily based on the element's group number, which reflects its valence electrons and typical ionic charge. Atomic weight (Choice A) and period number (Choice C) do not directly correlate with the ionic charge prediction, and analyzing the element's position within the group (Choice D) is less relevant than identifying the group number itself.