which vitamin is produced when the skin is exposed to sunlight

ATI TEAS 7

Practice TEAS Science Test

1. Which vitamin is produced when the skin is exposed to sunlight?

A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin K
D. Vitamin E

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Vitamin D is the correct answer. When the skin is exposed to sunlight, it triggers a process where a form of cholesterol in the skin is converted into vitamin D. This vitamin plays a crucial role in aiding calcium absorption in the gut, which is essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones. Vitamin A (Choice A) is important for vision and immune function but is not produced by sunlight exposure. Vitamin K (Choice C) is known for its role in blood clotting and bone metabolism, but it is not produced by sunlight. Vitamin E (Choice D) is an antioxidant that protects cells from damage but is not synthesized in the skin through sunlight exposure.

2. What is the function of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)?

A. Carries amino acids to the ribosomes
B. Reads the genetic code on mRNA
C. Forms the structural framework of ribosomes
D. Controls the rate of protein synthesis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) plays a crucial role in forming the structural framework of ribosomes. Ribosomes are the cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis and consist of both protein and rRNA components. The primary function of rRNA is to provide the structural support necessary for ribosomes to function properly. This structural framework allows the ribosome to interact with messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) during translation, where genetic information encoded in mRNA is used to assemble proteins from amino acids. Therefore, rRNA's main role is in contributing to the structure and function of ribosomes, rather than directly carrying amino acids, reading the genetic code, or controlling the rate of protein synthesis. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because rRNA does not carry amino acids to the ribosomes (tRNA does this), read the genetic code (this is the role of ribosomes and tRNA), or control the rate of protein synthesis (this is regulated by various factors but not directly by rRNA).

3. When testing how quickly a rat dies based on the amount of poison it eats, which of the following is the independent variable and which is the dependent variable?

A. How quickly the rat dies is the independent variable; the amount of poison is the dependent variable.
B. The amount of poison is the independent variable; how quickly the rat dies is the dependent variable.
C. Whether the rat eats the poison is the independent variable; how quickly the rat dies is the dependent variable.
D. The cage the rat is kept in is the independent variable; the amount of poison is the dependent variable.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. In this experiment, the independent variable is the amount of poison because it is what is being manipulated by the researcher. The dependent variable is how quickly the rat dies, as it is the outcome that is being measured based on the different amounts of poison administered. Choice A is incorrect because the independent variable should be what is being manipulated or changed, which is the amount of poison in this case. Choice C is incorrect because whether the rat eats the poison is not being varied or controlled by the researcher. Choice D is incorrect because the cage the rat is kept in is not relevant to the relationship being studied between the amount of poison and the rat's survival time.

4. Which of the following structures is responsible for transmitting electrical impulses in the nervous system?

A. Neuron
B. Axon
C. Myelin
D. Dendrite

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neuron. Neurons are specialized cells that transmit electrical impulses in the nervous system. While the axon is the part responsible for conducting these impulses over long distances, it is the neuron as a whole that is ultimately responsible for transmitting electrical impulses. Myelin is a fatty substance that surrounds and insulates axons, speeding up signal transmission. Dendrites, on the other hand, receive signals from other neurons. Therefore, although the axon plays a significant role in transmission, the neuron is the fundamental unit responsible for transmitting electrical impulses in the nervous system.

5. A ball is thrown horizontally off a cliff with a speed of 10 m/s. What is the horizontal distance the ball travels before hitting the ground?

A. 10 m
B. 20 m
C. 30 m
D. Cannot be determined without knowing the height of the cliff

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a ball is thrown horizontally, its horizontal velocity remains constant throughout its motion. The horizontal distance traveled by the ball is determined by the horizontal velocity and the time taken to hit the ground. In this case, the horizontal distance is calculated as distance = velocity × time. Since the horizontal velocity is 10 m/s, the horizontal distance traveled by the ball is 10 m/s × time. The time taken to hit the ground is determined by the vertical motion, which is independent of the horizontal velocity. Therefore, without knowing the height of the cliff, we can still determine the horizontal distance traveled by the ball. The horizontal distance is solely dependent on the horizontal velocity and the time of flight, which are not influenced by the height of the cliff. Hence, the correct answer is 30 m. Choice A, 10 m, is incorrect as it does not consider the time of flight. Choice B, 20 m, is incorrect as it does not account for the constant horizontal velocity. Choice D, 'Cannot be determined without knowing the height of the cliff,' is incorrect because the horizontal distance can be calculated independently of the height of the cliff.