which structure in the cell is responsible for protein synthesis

ATI TEAS 7

Practice Science TEAS Test

1. Which organelle in the cell is responsible for protein synthesis?

A. Ribosome
B. Nucleus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Golgi apparatus

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ribosome. Ribosomes are the organelles responsible for protein synthesis in the cell. They are the cellular machinery where translation, the process of assembling proteins from amino acids based on mRNA sequences, occurs. Ribosomes can be found floating freely in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. The nucleus (choice B) houses DNA but is not directly involved in protein synthesis. Mitochondria (choice C) are responsible for energy production through cellular respiration, not protein synthesis. The Golgi apparatus (choice D) is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion, not in the synthesis of proteins.

2. What is the shape of the DNA molecule?

A. Linear
B. Circular
C. Double helix
D. Straight chain

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Double helix. The shape of the DNA molecule is a double helix, a structure first described by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. This shape consists of two strands twisted around each other in a spiral. The double helix structure allows DNA to be compactly stored within the cell nucleus and provides stability to the molecule. Options (A) Linear, (B) Circular, and (D) Straight chain are incorrect as they do not accurately represent the shape of the DNA molecule. DNA is not linear but rather forms a twisted double helix; it is not circular like a ring but has a spiral structure, and it is not a straight chain but a twisted ladder-like structure.

3. Which of the following statements about prions is TRUE?

A. They are composed of proteins only
B. They are easily destroyed by common disinfectants
C. hey are a type of antibiotic
D. They are a live organism

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A) This statement is true. Prions are infectious agents composed entirely of protein, lacking nucleic acids such as DNA or RNA. They are known for causing neurodegenerative diseases in animals and humans. B) This statement is false. Prions are not easily destroyed by common disinfectants due to their unique structure and resistance to conventional sterilization methods. C) This statement is false. Prions are not a type of antibiotic. They are a distinct class of infectious agents. D) This statement is false. Prions are not live organisms but rather misfolded proteins that can induce abnormal folding in normal proteins, leading to disease.

4. Decomposers in an ecosystem play a vital role by:

A. Photosynthesizing and producing organic matter
B. Breaking down dead organisms and returning nutrients to the environment
C. Preying on herbivores and controlling their populations
D. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it available to plants

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler substances. By doing so, they help to recycle nutrients back into the environment, making them available for other organisms to use. This process is essential for the functioning of ecosystems, as it ensures that nutrients are not lost but instead are continuously cycled through the ecosystem. Photosynthesis (option A) is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, and it is not a role of decomposers. Preying on herbivores (option C) is a role typically carried out by predators, not decomposers. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere (option D) is a process carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria, not decomposers.

5. Which of the following is an example of adaptive immunity?

A. Inflammation
B. Fever
C. Antibodies
D. Phagocytosis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Antibodies are produced by the adaptive immune system in response to specific antigens. They play a crucial role in targeting and neutralizing pathogens, providing long-lasting immunity against future infections. In contrast, options A (inflammation), B (fever), and D (phagocytosis) are examples of innate immunity, the body's immediate, non-specific defense mechanisms. Inflammation is a response to tissue damage, fever is a systemic response to infection, and phagocytosis is a process where cells engulf and digest pathogens, all part of the innate immune response.