what is the primary function of the respiratory system

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Practice Test Science

1. What is the primary function of the respiratory system?

A. To digest food
B. To transport nutrients
C. To exchange gases
D. To regulate body temperature

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: To exchange gases. The primary function of the respiratory system is to facilitate the exchange of gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, between the body and the environment. This process is essential for cellular respiration, where oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is removed. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Digesting food is primarily the function of the digestive system, transporting nutrients is the role of the circulatory system, and regulating body temperature is primarily managed by the integumentary system and the nervous system, not the respiratory system.

2. As a water wave approaches a shallow beach, what happens to its speed, wavelength, and frequency?

A. Speed increases, wavelength decreases, frequency increases.
B. Speed decreases, wavelength decreases, frequency remains the same.
C. Speed increases, wavelength increases, frequency decreases.
D. Speed, wavelength, and frequency remain the same.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: As a water wave approaches a shallow beach, the speed of the wave decreases due to the change in medium from deep to shallow water. According to the wave equation (speed = frequency x wavelength), if the speed decreases and the frequency remains the same, the wavelength must also decrease to maintain the equation balanced. This phenomenon occurs due to the wavefronts being slowed down by the shallower water, causing the wavelength to decrease while the frequency remains constant. Choice A is incorrect as the speed of the wave decreases in shallow water. Choice C is incorrect because the speed increases in deep water, not in shallow water. Choice D is incorrect as all the wave characteristics change when moving from deep to shallow water.

3. What is the scientific study of the relationships between organisms and their environment?

A. Zoology
B. Botany
C. Ecology
D. Genetics

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships between organisms and their environment, including the interactions between living organisms and their physical surroundings. This field focuses on how organisms interact with each other and their environment. Zoology is the study of animals, Botany is the study of plants, and Genetics is the study of genes and heredity, which are not directly related to the relationships between organisms and their environment. Therefore, the correct answer is Ecology as it specifically deals with the interactions between living organisms and their environment.

4. Which type of RNA carries the genetic code from DNA to ribosomes?

A. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
B. Transfer RNA (tRNA)
C. Messenger RNA (mRNA)
D. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: - Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries the genetic information from DNA in the cell's nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where protein synthesis occurs. - Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a component of the ribosomes where protein synthesis takes place. - Transfer RNA (tRNA) is responsible for bringing amino acids to the ribosomes during protein synthesis. - Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the genetic material that contains the instructions for building and maintaining an organism. DNA is transcribed into mRNA before being translated into proteins.

5. What does bradycardia refer to in terms of heart rate?

A. Normal (60-100 bpm)
B. Slightly elevated (100-120 bpm)
C. Significantly elevated (>120 bpm)
D. Abnormally slow (<60 bpm)

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Bradycardia refers to an abnormally slow heart rate, typically defined as less than 60 beats per minute. This condition can result in inadequate blood flow to meet the body's demands. It is crucial to distinguish between bradycardia and tachycardia, which is a fast heart rate, as they require different management strategies. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they describe normal, slightly elevated, and significantly elevated heart rates, respectively, rather than an abnormally slow heart rate characteristic of bradycardia. Recognizing bradycardia is essential for appropriate evaluation and intervention in clinical settings.