TEAS 7 practice test science

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Vaccines work by introducing weakened or inactive versions of pathogens to trigger an immune response in the body. This exposure helps the immune system recognize and remember the pathogen, enabling a faster and more effective response upon future exposure. Vaccines do not directly kill pathogens but prepare the immune system for a potential encounter, enhancing protection. They also do not stimulate the immediate production of specific antibodies as the immune response takes time to develop upon vaccination. Choice A is incorrect because vaccines do not kill pathogens directly; they prime the immune system to recognize and respond to them. Choice C is incorrect because while vaccines lead to the production of specific antibodies, it is not immediate, as it takes time for the immune response to develop and produce these antibodies.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Elements in Group 18 (Noble gases) are generally unreactive because their outermost electron shells are completely filled. This results in high stability and low reactivity since they have achieved a full valence shell configuration, making them less likely to gain, lose, or share electrons with other atoms. The full valence shell configuration leads to a minimal tendency for these elements to form chemical bonds, hence exhibiting low reactivity. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because high atomic masses, lack of valence electrons, and existing as single atoms do not directly contribute to the unreactivity of noble gases. It is the full valence shell configuration that is the primary reason for their inert nature.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Phagocytosis. Phagocytosis is the process by which cells engulf and break down cellular components or foreign particles for recycling or waste removal. It is a vital mechanism used by cells to maintain homeostasis and remove waste materials. Photosynthesis (A) is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy to produce food, not for breaking down cellular components. Cellular respiration (B) is the process by which cells generate energy from nutrients, not for waste removal. Cell division (C) is the process by which cells replicate and divide to form new cells during growth, repair, or development, not for breaking down cellular components.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A) Mutations in genes can introduce new genetic variations into a population, which can be acted upon by natural selection. B) Differential survival and reproduction based on traits is a key component of natural selection, as individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation. C) Inheritance of acquired characteristics, also known as Lamarckism, is not a mechanism of evolution by natural selection. Traits acquired during an individual's lifetime (such as strong muscles from working out) are not passed on to offspring. D) Competition for resources in an environment can drive natural selection by favoring individuals with traits that help them better compete for limited resources. Therefore, the correct answer is C) Inheritance of acquired characteristics (like strong muscles from working out), as it is not a mechanism that can directly cause evolution by natural selection.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Fluorine-18 is the radioactive isotope commonly used in medical imaging techniques such as PET scans. It is frequently used in the form of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) to locate areas of heightened metabolic activity in the body, such as in cancer cells. Uranium-235 and Plutonium-239 are not typically employed in medical imaging, and Potassium-40, while a naturally occurring radioactive isotope found in the human body, is not commonly used in medical imaging techniques.