When would a cell most likely contain the most nucleotides?

A. S

B. G1

C. M

D. G2

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Answer Explanation:

A cell copies its DNA during the S phase, and nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA. Thus, the step preceding the S phase, the G1 phase, is the phase of the cell cycle when the cell would contain the most nucleotides.

For a cell to divide into more cells, it must grow, copy its DNA, and produce new daughter cells. The cell cycle regulates cellular division. This process can either prevent a cell from dividing or trigger it to start dividing.

The cell cycle is an organized process divided into two phases: interphase and the M (mitotic) phase. During interphase, the cell grows and copies its DNA. After the cell reaches the M phase, division of the two new cells can occur. The G1, S, and G2 phases make up interphase.

  • G1: The first gap phase, during which the cell prepares to copy its DNA
  • S: The synthesis phase, during which DNA is copied
  • G2 : The second gap phase, during which the cell prepares for cell division

It may appear that little is happening in the cell during the gap phases. Most of the activity occurs at the level of enzymes and macromolecules. The cell produces things like nucleotides for synthesizing new DNA strands, enzymes for copying the DNA, and tubulin proteins for building the mitotic spindle. During the S phase, the DNA in the cell doubles, but few other signs are obvious under the microscope. All the dramatic events that can be seen under a microscope occur during the M phase: the chromosomes move, and the cell splits into two new cells with identical nuclei.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is B.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Science Practice Test 2

Question 1:

What phase is the cell cycle part of?

A. Interphase

B. Metaphase

C. Prophase

D. Telophase

The Correct Answer is A.

Before mitosis or meiosis occurs, interphase must happen. This is when the cell cycle takes place. The cell cycle is an organized process divided into two phases: interphase and the M (mitotic) phase. During interphase, the cell grows and copies its DNA. After the cell reaches the M phase, division of the two new cells can occur. The G1, S, and G2 phases make up interphase. 


Question 2:

Which sequence describes the hierarchy level of biological organization?

A. Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species

B. Genus, class, kingdom, species, order, phylum, and family

C. Genus, class, kingdom, species, order, phylum, and family

D. Species, kingdom, genus, class, family, phylum, and order

The Correct Answer is A.

Taxonomy is the process of classifying, describing, and naming organisms. There are seven levels in the Linnaean taxonomic system, starting with the broadest level, kingdom, and ending with the species level. For example, in the image the genus level contains two types of bears, but the species level shows one type. Additionally, organisms in each level are found in the level above it. For example, organisms in the order level are part of the class level. This classification system is based on physical similarities across living things. It does not account for molecular or genetic similarities.


Question 3:

In which state of matter do the particles of iron have the lowest amount of cohesion?

A. Solid iron particles have the lowest amount of cohesion

B. Liquid iron particles have the lowest amount of cohesion

C. Gaseous iron particles have the lowest amount of cohesion

D. The particles have the same amount of cohesion in all states of matter.

The Correct Answer is C.

The particles in a sample of gas are farther apart than in solids or liquids and therefore have the lowest amount of cohesion.

  • Cohesion is the tendency of particles of the same kind to stick to each other.
  • A solid has the lowest amount of energy because its particles are packed close together. Liquids have more energy than a solid, and gases have more energy than solids or liquids because the cohesive forces are very weak.

Question 4:

A researcher notices a positive correlation between the height of a plant and nutrient concentration over time. Based on this observation, what conclusion does he reach?

A. The height of a plant increases in the absence and presence of the nutrients

B. When the amount of nutrients available to the plant decreases, its height increases.

C. The amount of nutrients available to a plant is independent of how tall the plant gets

D. When the amount of nutrients available to the plant increases, its height also increases.

The Correct Answer is D.

Because this is a positive correlation, if the nutrient concentration increases or decreases, plant height will either increase or decrease accordingly.

While analyzing data, scientists tend to observe cause-and-effect relationships. These relationships can be quantified using correlations. Correlations measure the amount of linear association between two variables. There are three types of correlations:

Positive correlation: 
As one variable increases, the other variable also increases. This is also known as a direct correlation.

Negative correlation: 
As one variable increases, the other decreases. The opposite is true if one variable decreases. A negative correlation is also known as an inverse correlation or an indirect correlation.

No correlation: 
There is no connection or relationship between two variables.


Question 5:

Which of the following atoms is a cation?

A. 14 protons, 14 neutrons, 18 electrons

B. 34 protons, 45 neutrons, 36 electrons

C. 35 protons, 44 neutrons, 35 electrons

D. 82 protons, 125 neutrons, 78 electrons

The Correct Answer is D.

Because it has more protons than electrons, this atom has a positive charge and can be classified as a cation. When a metal such as sodium reacts to become stable, it loses its valence electrons. At first, it is a neutral atom with 11 protons and 11 electrons. When it loses an electron, the number of protons does not change, and the atom has 11 protons and 10 electrons. Because there is one more positively charged proton, a cation forms. A cation is an ion with a net positive charge.


Question 6:

A student notices a pattern of stripes on five tigers. Each of the five tigers has the same stripe pattern. Using his inductive reasoning, what does he logically assume based on this information?

A. The pattern continues to change over time.

B. Natural adaptations cause this pattern to occur

C. Each offspring will have the same stripe pattern

D. Ancestors of the tigers have different stripe patterns

The Correct Answer is C.

Inductive reasoning involves making specific observations and using them to make broad statements. The student observes that all of the tigers have the same stripe pattern. He can use this observation to make the broad statement that all the tigers’ offspring will have the same stripe pattern.

Inductive reasoning involves drawing a general conclusion from specific observations. This form of reasoning is referred to as the “from the bottom up” approach. Information gathered from specific observations can be used to make a general conclusion about the topic under investigation. In other words, conclusions are based on observed patterns in data.


Question 7: A person is diagnosed as having acidosis, a condition in which the blood pH is below 7.45. What does the doctor most likely conclude?

A. Too much carbon dioxide is found in the blood.

B. Highly oxygenated blood circulates through the body

C. A blockage prevents blood from leaving the pulmonary artery

D. The nasal cavity has a difficult time clearing particles from the air.

The Correct Answer is A. Acidosis is when the body fluids contain too much acid, or low pH. The kidneys and lungs are unable to keep the body’s pH in balance. Acidosis is the result when there is too much loss of bicarbonate from the blood known as metabolic acidosis, or due to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood due to poor lung function, known as respiratory acidosis. It is the opposite of alkalosis, which is a condition in which there is too much base in the body fluids.

Question 8:

Where is skeletal muscle found?

A. Inside the heart

B. Attached to bone

C. Lining the walls of the bladder

D. Within the gastrointestinal tract

The Correct Answer is B.

Skeletal muscle: This muscle cell is striated, long, and cylindrical. There are many nuclei in a skeletal muscle cell. Attached to bones in the body, skeletal muscle contracts voluntarily, meaning that it is under conscious control.

Smooth muscle: This muscle consists of nonstriated muscle cells that are spindle-shaped. Like cardiac muscle cells, smooth muscle cells contain one nucleus. This muscle type is found in the walls of internal organs like the bladder and stomach. Smooth muscle contraction is involuntary and controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

Cardiac muscle: This muscle consists of muscle cells that are striated, short, and branched. These cells contain one nucleus, are branched, and are rectangular. Cardiac muscle contraction is an involuntary process, which is why it is under the control of the autonomic nervous system. This muscle is found in the walls of the heart.


Question 9:

Which statement best represents Mendel’s experiments with garden peas?

A. As a result, Mendel developed several theories that have since been disproved.

B. Mendel realized he was on an incorrect track, which led him to other experimental media

C. As a result, Mendel developed foundational conclusions that are still valued and followed today.

D. Mendel collaborated with others interested in genetics to develop heredity guidelines we still use today

The Correct Answer is D.

Mendel developed theories of genetics that scientists around the world use today.

From experiments with garden peas, Mendel developed a simple set of rules that accurately predicted patterns of heredity. He discovered that plants either self-pollinate or cross-pollinate, when the pollen from one plant fertilizes the pistil of another plant. He also discovered that traits are either dominant or recessive. Dominant traits are expressed, and recessive traits are hidden.

Mendel’s Theory of Heredity

To explain his results, Mendel proposed a theory that has become the foundation of the science of genetics. The theory has five elements:

  • Parents do not transmit traits directly to their offspring. Rather, they pass on units of information called genes.
  • For each trait, an individual has two factors: one from each parent. If the two factors have the same information, the individual is homozygous for that trait. If the two factors are different, the individual is heterozygous for that trait. Each copy of a factor, or gene, is called an allele.
  • The alleles determine the physical appearance, or phenotype. The set of alleles an individual has is its genotype.
  • An individual receives one allele from each parent.
  • The presence of an allele does not guarantee that the trait will be expressed.

Question 10:

The diffusion of nutrients through the walls of the digestive system is critical to homeostasis in the body. Where does the majority of this diffusion take place in the digestive system?

A. Stomach

B. Esophagus

C. Oral cavity

D. Small intestine

The Correct Answer is D.

The duodenum is the first part of the small intestines, located between the stomach and the middle part of the small intestines (jejunum). Once food has mixed with acid in the stomach, it moves into the duodenum, where it then mixes with bile from the gallbladder and digestive juices secreted from the pancreas. In the duodenum, absorption of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients begins.