which structure in the skin is responsible for producing melanin

ATI TEAS 7

Practice Science TEAS Test

1. Which structure in the skin is responsible for producing melanin?

A. Sudoriferous gland
B. Melanocyte
C. Sebaceous gland
D. Hair follicle

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Melanocyte. Melanocytes in the skin are responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color and provides protection against harmful UV radiation. Sudoriferous glands produce sweat, sebaceous glands produce sebum (oil), and hair follicles are associated with hair growth. However, the specific function of producing melanin is attributed to melanocytes, making them the correct answer in this context.

2. Which of the following is true regarding T cells?

A. They are only seen in individuals with leukemia.
B. They are a specialized type of white blood cell.
C. They mature in the thymus.
D. They play a role in the immune response.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: T cells are a specialized type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune response. They are produced in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus gland. T cells help coordinate and regulate the immune response to pathogens and foreign substances by interacting with other immune cells. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. T cells are not exclusively seen in individuals with leukemia; they are a normal component of the immune system found in healthy individuals. While it is true that T cells are a specialized type of white blood cell, the key characteristic being tested in this question is their role in the immune response. Lastly, T cells do mature in the thymus, but this alone does not encompass the full scope of their function in the immune system.

3. What is the primary function of the stomach?

A. To store food and break it down into smaller pieces
B. To absorb nutrients into the bloodstream
C. To produce enzymes that assist in digesting food
D. To eliminate waste products from the body

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The main function of the stomach is to store food, churn it, and break it down into smaller pieces through mechanical digestion. This process is facilitated by the mixing of food with gastric juices, including stomach acid. The mechanical breakdown in the stomach helps initiate the digestion of food before it progresses to the small intestine for further digestion and nutrient absorption. Absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream primarily occurs in the small intestine, not the stomach. Enzymes that aid in digesting food are primarily produced in the pancreas and small intestine, not in the stomach. The elimination of waste products from the body mainly occurs through the large intestine and rectum, not the stomach.

4. Vacuoles are large sacs for storage in plant cells. What is their main function in animal cells?

A. Protein synthesis
B. Waste storage and disposal
C. Photosynthesis
D. Cellular respiration

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Vacuoles in animal cells primarily function in waste storage and disposal, helping to maintain cellular homeostasis by storing waste products and aiding in their removal from the cell. Unlike plant cells, animal cells do not typically use vacuoles for storage purposes such as water, nutrients, or pigments. Instead, animal cells rely on other organelles like lysosomes for waste management and maintaining cellular balance. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because protein synthesis occurs in ribosomes, photosynthesis takes place in chloroplasts (absent in animal cells), and cellular respiration mainly occurs in mitochondria, respectively. Vacuoles in animal cells serve a different purpose compared to plant cells.

5. What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and potassium hydroxide (KOH)?

A. H2SO4 + KOH → K2SO4 + H2O
B. 2H2SO4 + 2KOH → 2K2SO4 + 2H2O
C. H2SO4 + 2KOH → K2SO4 + 2H2O
D. H2SO4 + 2KOH → K2SO4 + H2O

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When sulfuric acid (H2SO4) reacts with potassium hydroxide (KOH), it forms potassium sulfate (K2SO4) and water (H2O). To balance the equation, 2 KOH molecules are required to react with 1 H2SO4 molecule, resulting in 1 K2SO4 molecule and 2 H2O molecules. Therefore, the balanced chemical equation is H2SO4 + 2KOH → K2SO4 + 2H2O, which corresponds to option C. Choice A is incorrect because it does not account for the correct stoichiometry between the reactants and products. Choice B incorrectly doubles all the molecules in the reaction, leading to an unbalanced equation. Choice D incorrectly balances the equation with 1 KOH molecule instead of the required 2 KOH molecules, making it unbalanced. Thus, option C is the correct balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide.