ATI TEAS Practice Science Test

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the pharynx serves as a common passageway for both food and air. It allows food to pass from the mouth to the esophagus and air to pass from the nasal cavity to the larynx. It plays a crucial role in the process of swallowing and breathing. Choice B is incorrect because the warming and moistening of air during inhalation primarily occur in the nasal cavity and the respiratory tract, not the pharynx. Choice C is incorrect as the creation of a chest cavity at the base of the lungs is primarily the function of the diaphragm, not the pharynx. Choice D is incorrect as the structural support to the alveolar region is mainly provided by the alveoli themselves and surrounding tissues, not the pharynx.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Paracrine. This is because somatostatin is a chemical signal that acts locally on neighboring cells within the pancreas to inhibit insulin secretion. Paracrine signals are released by one cell and act on nearby cells of the same tissue. Autocrine signals act on the same cell that produced them, which is not the case here. Neuromodulators modulate the activity of neurons, not endocrine cells like in this scenario. Pheromones are chemical signals that are used for communication between individuals of the same species, not within the same organism like in this case.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B (18). Ossification at the growth plate occurs during adolescence when bones undergo rapid growth and development. At around age 18, the growth plates begin to close as bone growth slows down, leading to ossification replacing cartilage. At age 5 (A), the growth plates are still actively contributing to bone growth. At age 42 (C) and 91 (D), ossification is more likely related to aging processes and repair rather than growth plate replacement.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Liver. The liver plays a crucial role in storing and metabolizing vitamins, releasing them as needed when intake decreases. It helps maintain vitamin levels in the body. The other choices are incorrect because the appendix has no role in vitamin absorption or regulation, the pancreas primarily aids in digestion and hormone regulation, and the stomach's main function is to break down food, not regulate vitamin levels.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Inverse correlation. Negative variation refers to a situation where one variable increases while the other decreases, showing an inverse relationship. This is different from non-correlation (A), which implies no relationship between variables. Direct correlation (B) indicates both variables moving in the same direction, while positive correlation (D) implies both variables increasing together. Therefore, C is the only choice that accurately represents negative variation.