TEAS 7 science practice questions

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Aldosterone is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that plays a crucial role in maintaining electrolyte balance, specifically by regulating sodium and potassium levels in the body. Its primary function involves acting on the kidneys to increase the reabsorption of sodium and water while promoting the excretion of potassium. This process is essential for regulating blood pressure, fluid balance, and electrolyte concentrations in the body. Epinephrine is associated with the fight or flight response, cortisol is a stress hormone, and insulin is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels as produced by the pancreas. Therefore, the correct answer is Aldosterone as it directly targets electrolyte balance, particularly sodium and potassium, in the body.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The normal force from the floor is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the box, so it does not contribute to the work being done. Work is only done by forces acting in the direction of motion of an object. In this case, the normal force is acting at a right angle to the motion, hence it does not perform any work on the box. The person's pushing force, the gravitational force, and the frictional force are all acting in the direction of motion of the box, so they contribute to the work being done in moving the box across the floor.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The shift in the peppered moth population towards more dark moths in England after the Industrial Revolution exemplifies natural selection acting on pre-existing variation. Initially, light-colored moths were well-camouflaged against lichen-covered tree trunks, but with industrial pollution darkening the tree trunks, dark-colored moths gained a survival advantage. This change reflects how the environment favored dark moths over light ones, illustrating natural selection. The process illustrates how organisms with traits advantageous in a changing environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the prevalence of those traits in the population over time. The choices of artificial selection (A), punctuated equilibrium (C), and Lamarckism (D) are not applicable in this scenario. Artificial selection involves intentional breeding by humans, punctuated equilibrium refers to rapid bursts of evolution followed by periods of stability, and Lamarckism suggests the inheritance of acquired characteristics, none of which align with the observed shift in moth populations based on environmental changes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Nuclear fission is the process where a heavy nucleus, like uranium-235, captures a neutron, leading to its division into two lighter nuclei. This process releases a substantial amount of energy in the form of heat and gamma rays. It is utilized in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs due to its capacity to produce significant energy. Choices B, C, and D describe different nuclear processes: fusion of two nuclei to form a heavier element, emission of alpha particles from a lighter element through radioactive decay, and absorption of an electron by the nucleus with the release of a gamma ray, respectively. These processes are distinct from nuclear fission and do not involve the splitting of heavy nuclei into lighter ones.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: According to Newton's second law of motion, the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. This relationship is mathematically expressed as F = ma, where F represents force, m represents mass, and a represents acceleration. Therefore, an increase in force will result in a proportional increase in acceleration, supporting the statement that force is directly proportional to acceleration. Choice B is incorrect as it suggests an inverse relationship, which is not consistent with Newton's second law. Choice C is incorrect because force and acceleration are indeed related as per Newton's second law. Choice D is incorrect as force can cause acceleration or deceleration depending on the direction of the force relative to the motion of the object, but it does not exclusively cause deceleration.