What is the primary physiological function of erythrocytes in the human circulatory system?

A. Facilitation of gas exchange in the alveoli

B. Regulation of blood pH through the release of bicarbonate ions

C. Transportation of oxygen to body tissues

D. Synthesis of clotting factors in response to vascular injury

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Answer Explanation:

Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, play a crucial role in the circulatory system, primarily by facilitating the transportation of oxygen to body tissues. The other choices are also explained below:

A. Facilitation of gas exchange in the alveoli: While gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, it is primarily carried out by the respiratory system and involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between air and blood. Red blood cells do not directly participate in this process.

B. Regulation of blood pH through the release of bicarbonate ions: The regulation of blood pH is mainly maintained by the bicarbonate buffering system, which involves the action of the respiratory and renal systems. Red blood cells do play a minor role in transporting carbon dioxide, which can indirectly influence pH, but it's not their primary function.

D. Synthesis of clotting factors in response to vascular injury: Clotting factors are primarily produced by the liver and are involved in the blood clotting process to prevent excessive bleeding. Red blood cells are not directly responsible for synthesizing these factors.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is C.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Science Exam 1

Question 1:

Which of the following is a characteristic of innate immunity?

A. It is highly specific to particular pathogens.

B. It is acquired over time through exposure to pathogens.

C. It provides immediate, non-specific protection.

D. It involves the production of antibodies.

The Correct Answer is C.

Innate immunity is a fundamental aspect of the body's defense mechanism that operates from birth. It offers immediate protection against a wide range of pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, without requiring prior exposure to these invaders.

This defense system is non-specific, meaning it doesn't target a particular pathogen but rather provides a generalized response to various threats. Innate immunity includes physical barriers like the skin and mucous membranes, as well as cellular components such as phagocytes and natural killer cells. These elements work together to detect and neutralize potential threats swiftly, preventing infections from taking hold in the body.


Question 2:

Which statement best defines the difference between a physical change and a chemical change?

A. A physical change involves the rearrangement of atoms and molecules while a chemical change involves the formation of new substances with different chemical properties.

B. A physical change involves the change of one state of matter to another while a chemical change involves the change of one substance into another.

C. A physical change involves the breaking of chemical bonds while a chemical change involves the breaking of intermolecular forces.

D. A physical change involves the release of energy while a chemical change involves the absorption of energy.

The Correct Answer is A.

A physical change is a change that affects the physical properties of a substance, but does not change its chemical identity. Physical changes include changes in state, such as melting or boiling, changes in shape or size, and changes in phase, such as the dissolution of a solid in a liquid.

A chemical change, on the other hand, is a change that results in the formation of new substances with different chemical properties. Chemical changes involve the breaking of chemical bonds between atoms and the formation of new bonds to create new compounds. Chemical changes are usually accompanied by a change in color, the formation of a gas or a solid, or the release or absorption of energy.

Overall, the main difference between a physical change and a chemical change is that a physical change only affects the physical properties of a substance while a chemical change results in the formation of new substances with different chemical properties.

Note: Choice B is partially cirrect since physical changes can involve changes in the state of matter (e.g., ice melting into water), but it's not the main characteristic. A chemical change typically involves the change of one substance into another with different chemical properties.

 
  Main Difference Between a Chemical and Physical Change | YourDictionary

 

 

 


Question 3:

What is the name of the dome-shaped muscle that plays a key role in breathing?

 

A. Diaphragm 

B. Trachea  

C. Bronchus 

D. Alveoli

The Correct Answer is A.

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that plays a key role in breathing. It separates the thoracic cavity, which contains the heart and lungs, from the abdominal cavity. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward and increases the volume of the thoracic cavity, allowing air to flow into the lungs. When it relaxes, it moves upward and decreases the volume of the thoracic cavity, forcing air out of the lungs.

 


Question 4:

Which of the following is a chemical property of a substance?

 

A. Density

B. Melting point  

C. Boiling point

D. Reactivity with acid

The Correct Answer is D.

Chemical properties are characteristics of a substance that describe its ability to undergo a chemical change or reaction with another substance. Reactivity with acid is a chemical property because it describes how a substance will react with an acid to produce a new substance.

Density, melting point, and boiling point are physical properties that describe how a substance behaves under certain conditions but do not involve a chemical change or reaction.


Question 5:

What is the name of the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels in the human body?

A. Insulin

B. Glucagon

C. Estrogen

D. Testosterone

The Correct Answer is A.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that plays a crucial role in regulating the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. After a person eats a meal, the levels of glucose in the blood rise, which stimulates the pancreas to release insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin acts on various cells in the body, particularly those in the liver, muscles, and adipose tissue, to promote the uptake, use, and storage of glucose.

Insulin helps to lower the levels of glucose in the blood by increasing the uptake of glucose by cells, stimulating the liver and muscle cells to store glucose in the form of glycogen, and inhibiting the production and release of glucose by the liver. This process is known as glucose homeostasis, and it helps to keep the levels of glucose in the blood within a normal range.

Deficiencies or abnormalities in insulin production or function can lead to a range of metabolic disorders, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin, while in type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin, leading to elevated levels of glucose in the blood.

Pancreas - Hormones Australia


Question 6:

What is the name of the genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21?

A. Turner syndrome

B. Klinefelter syndrome

C. Down syndrome

D. Huntington's disease

The Correct Answer is C.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. It is also known as trisomy 21, because affected individuals have three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the normal two.

The extra chromosome 21 in Down syndrome occurs due to a random error in cell division, which leads to the production of an abnormal gamete (egg or sperm) with an extra copy of the chromosome. When this gamete fuses with a normal gamete during fertilization, the resulting zygote has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46, and develops into a fetus with Down syndrome.

Down syndrome is characterized by a range of physical and intellectual symptoms, including developmental delays, intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, heart defects, and increased risk of certain medical conditions such as leukemia and Alzheimer's disease. However, the severity and expression of these symptoms can vary widely among affected individuals.

 
  Karyotype of Down syndrome (DS or DNS), also known as trisomy 21, is a  genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome  21 Stock

 

 


Question 7:

A researcher collects data on the number of cars passing through a busy intersection at different times of the day for a month. This data would be most useful to analyze which of the following:

 

A. traffic patterns during rush hour

B. pedestrian movement during the day

C. air pollution levels in the area

D. noise levels in the area

The Correct Answer is A.

The data collected by the researcher on the number of cars passing through a busy intersection at different times of the day for a month would be most useful to analyze traffic patterns during rush hour.


Question 8:

Which of the following is a type of genetic mutation that involves the insertion or deletion of one or more nucleotides in a DNA sequence?

A. Silent mutation  

B. Nonsense mutation

C. Frameshift mutation  

D. Missense mutation

The Correct Answer is C.

A frameshift mutation is a type of genetic mutation that involves the insertion or deletion of one or more nucleotides in a DNA sequence. This can cause a shift in the reading frame of the genetic code, resulting in a change in the amino acid sequence of the resulting protein. Frameshift mutations can have significant effects on the function of the protein and can lead to genetic disorders or diseases.

 


Question 9:

What are the five regions of the vertebral column, starting from the top and moving downwards?

A. Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal

B. Thoracic, cervical, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal

C. Lumbar, thoracic, cervical, coccygeal, sacral

D. Sacral, lumbar, cervical, thoracic, coccygeal

The Correct Answer is A.

The vertebral column, also known as the spine or spinal column, is a series of bones called vertebrae that extend from the skull to the pelvis. It provides support for the body and protects the spinal cord. The five regions of the vertebral column, starting from the top and moving downwards, are:

  1. Cervical: This region is made up of seven vertebrae and is located in the neck. The first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas and the axis, are specialized to allow for head movement.

       2. Thoracic: This region is made up of twelve vertebrae and is located in the upper and middle back. The thoracic vertebrae are larger than the cervical vertebrae and articulate with the ribs.

      3. Lumbar: This region is made up of five vertebrae and is located in the lower back. The lumbar vertebrae are the largest and strongest of the vertebrae.

      4. Sacral: This region is made up of five fused vertebrae and is located in the pelvis. The sacrum forms the posterior wall of the pelvis and articulates with the hip bones.

      5. Coccygeal: This region is made up of four fused vertebrae and is located at the base of the vertebral column. The coccyx, or tailbone, provides atachment points for muscles and ligaments.

 
 

 

 


Question 10:

What is the molecular geometry of a molecule of sulphur dioxide (SO2)?

A. Linear

B. Trigonal planar

C. Bent

D. Tetrahedral

The Correct Answer is C.

The molecular geometry of a molecule of sulphur dioxide (SO2) is bent or V-shaped. This is because of the presence of two lone pairs on the sulfur atom, which cause repulsion and distort the bond angles in the molecule.

SO2 has a central sulfur atom bonded to two oxygen atoms by double bonds. The two double bonds and the two lone pairs of electrons on sulfur result in a trigonal planar arrangement of electron pairs around the sulfur atom. However, the repulsion between the lone pairs causes the two oxygen atoms to be pulled closer together, resulting in a bent or V-shaped molecular geometry.

The bent molecular geometry of SO2 affects its properties, such as its polarity and reactivity. SO2 is a polar molecule due to the asymmetric distribution of electrons, which results in a partial positive charge on the sulfur atom and partial negative charges on the oxygen atoms. This polarity makes SO2 a good solvent and reactant in chemical reactions, as well as a contributor to air pollution and acid rain.

 
  Sulfur dioxide molecule stock vector. Illustration of biochemistry -  220712895