which of the following structures have the lowest blood pressure

ATI TEAS 7

Science TEAS Practice Test

1. Which of the following structures has the lowest blood pressure?

A. Arteries
B. Arterioles
C. Venules
D. Veins

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Veins have the lowest blood pressure among the listed structures. Blood pressure decreases as blood flows from arteries to arterioles, then to venules, and finally to veins. Veins return blood to the heart under low pressure because they have thinner walls and larger lumens compared to arteries and arterioles. This anatomical difference allows veins to accommodate a greater volume of blood without a significant rise in pressure. Arteries have the highest blood pressure to propel blood away from the heart, followed by arterioles which regulate blood flow to capillaries. Venules collect blood from capillaries and connect to veins, which then carry blood back to the heart at a lower pressure.

2. What is the main function of calcitonin, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland?

A. Stimulate metabolism and heat production
B. Increase calcium absorption from the intestines
C. Enhance bone growth and development
D. Lower blood calcium levels

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Calcitonin is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that primarily functions to lower blood calcium levels. It achieves this by inhibiting bone breakdown and promoting calcium excretion by the kidneys. Therefore, the correct answer is D as it reflects the main role of calcitonin in calcium homeostasis. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not align with the primary function of calcitonin. Calcitonin does not stimulate metabolism and heat production (Choice A), increase calcium absorption from the intestines (Choice B), or enhance bone growth and development (Choice C).

3. What is the function of introns in eukaryotic genes?

A. They code for protein sequences.
B. They are involved in gene regulation.
C. They are removed during mRNA processing.
D. They are non-functional remnants of ancient DNA.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Introns do not code for protein sequences. Exons are the segments of DNA that code for proteins. B) While introns can indirectly influence gene regulation, their primary function is not directly involved in gene regulation. C) Introns are non-coding regions of DNA that are transcribed into pre-mRNA but are removed during mRNA processing through a process called splicing. This allows only the exons to be included in the mature mRNA that will be translated into proteins. D) While introns were once thought to be non-functional remnants of ancient DNA, research has shown that they can have regulatory functions and play a role in gene expression.

4. A car is accelerating down a hill. Which of the following forces is NOT acting on the car?

A. Gravitational force
B. Normal force from the road
C. Air resistance
D. The car's engine force

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a car is accelerating down a hill, the normal force from the road is not acting on the car. The normal force is the force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it. As the car moves downhill, the normal force decreases since the road is no longer pushing back against the car's weight due to the downhill motion. Gravitational force pulls the car downhill, air resistance opposes the car's motion, and the car's engine force propels it forward. Therefore, the correct answer is B, as the normal force from the road is not acting on the car while it accelerates downhill.

5. What is the primary function of ribosomes in the cell?

A. To synthesize lipids and other cellular components
B. To package and transport proteins
C. To break down macromolecules
D. To translate mRNA into proteins

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Ribosomes are cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis. They read the genetic information encoded in messenger RNA (mRNA) and use this information to assemble amino acids into a specific sequence, forming a protein. This process is known as translation and is essential for the production of proteins that carry out various functions in the cell. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the primary function of ribosomes. Choice A is incorrect because the synthesis of lipids and other cellular components is not the primary function of ribosomes. Choice B is incorrect as packaging and transporting proteins are functions typically associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Choice C is incorrect because ribosomes do not break down macromolecules; instead, they are involved in building proteins from amino acids.