which structure in the ear is responsible for maintaining balance

ATI TEAS 7

Practice Science TEAS Test

1. Which structure in the ear is responsible for maintaining balance?

A. Cochlea
B. Semicircular canals
C. Eardrum
D. Auditory nerve

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the semicircular canals. These structures in the inner ear are responsible for maintaining balance and equilibrium by detecting rotational movements of the head. The cochlea is responsible for hearing as it contains the sensory cells for detecting sound vibrations, the eardrum is a membrane that transmits sound waves to the middle ear, and the auditory nerve carries sound signals from the cochlea to the brain for processing. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they are not primarily associated with maintaining balance.

2. What are energy levels and orbitals?

A. Energy levels are the paths that electrons travel around the nucleus of an atom, and orbitals are the regions where electrons are most likely to be found.
B. Energy levels are the regions where electrons are most likely to be found, and orbitals are the paths that electrons travel around the nucleus of an atom.
C. Energy levels are the same as orbitals.
D. Energy levels and orbitals do not exist.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Energy levels refer to the specific energies that electrons in an atom can have, while orbitals are the regions within an atom where electrons are most likely to be found. Electrons do not travel in fixed paths around the nucleus like planets around the sun, as suggested in option B. Option C is incorrect because energy levels and orbitals are distinct concepts in atomic structure. Option D is incorrect as energy levels and orbitals are fundamental concepts in understanding the behavior of electrons in atoms.

3. What is the relationship between genetic drift and the founder effect?

A. Founder effect is a cause of genetic drift within a small population
B. Genetic drift is a cause of the founder effect in new populations
C. They are the same phenomenon with different names
D. They are unrelated concepts.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: - The founder effect is a specific type of genetic drift that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to a loss of genetic variation. - Genetic drift, on the other hand, is a broader concept that refers to random changes in allele frequencies in a population over time due to chance events. - Therefore, the founder effect is a specific scenario within the broader concept of genetic drift, where the establishment of a new population by a small number of individuals leads to genetic changes in the population.

4. Which of the following serves as a standard or series of standards for comparing the results of an experiment?

A. A control
B. A variable
C. A constant
D. Collected data

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A control is a standard used to compare the outcomes of an experiment and is crucial for determining the effect of the variables being tested. It helps isolate and measure the impact of the independent variable by providing a baseline for comparison. While variables may change, constants remain consistent, and collected data is the information obtained from the experiment. A control specifically serves as the standard for comparison in an experiment, making it the correct choice. Variables, although important, are what are being altered and tested in an experiment, constants are factors that are kept consistent throughout the experiment, and collected data is the information gathered from the experiment, none of which specifically serve as the standard for comparison.

5. What is the atomic number of an atom?

A. The number of protons in an atom
B. The number of neutrons in an atom
C. The number of electrons in an atom
D. The sum of protons and neutrons

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The atomic number of an atom is the number of protons in its nucleus. This number uniquely identifies the element, as each element has a distinct number of protons. Neutrons and electrons play roles in the atom's structure and stability, but the atomic number specifically refers to the number of protons. Choice B (The number of neutrons in an atom) is incorrect because the atomic number does not include neutrons; it only represents the number of protons. Choice C (The number of electrons in an atom) is incorrect because the atomic number is not related to the number of electrons, which can vary in different atomic configurations. Choice D (The sum of protons and neutrons) is incorrect because it refers to the mass number of an atom, which is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, not just the protons.