TEAS 7 Science Practice Test

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: tongue. The tongue is the muscular organ responsible for processing food into smaller pieces by moving it around the mouth, mixing it with saliva to form a bolus, and pushing the food towards the back of the mouth to swallow. The pharynx (choice A) is the passageway for food and air, the diaphragm (choice C) is a muscle involved in breathing, and the stomach (choice D) is responsible for further digestion of food. The tongue's specific functions in manipulating food and aiding in swallowing make it the correct choice for this question.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Peristalsis is the correct term as it refers to the rhythmic muscle contractions that propel food through the digestive tract. First, the circular muscles contract behind the food bolus, pushing it forward. Then, the longitudinal muscles contract, shortening the tract and pushing the food further. This process continues in a wave-like fashion, aiding in digestion. A: Digestion refers to the breakdown of food into smaller molecules. B: Deglutition is the process of swallowing food. C: Defecation is the elimination of waste from the body. Therefore, peristalsis is the correct term as it specifically describes the muscle contractions that move food through the digestive system.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: synapse. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals between neurons. The synapse is the gap between neurons where these chemical messages are transmitted. Schwann cells are responsible for myelinating axons, ganglion is a cluster of nerve cell bodies, and the axon is the part of a neuron that carries the signal away from the cell body. Therefore, the synapse is the structure specifically involved in transmitting neurotransmitters between neurons.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, pancreas and salivary glands. Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down starch into sugars. Salivary glands produce salivary amylase, which starts the digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth. The pancreas also produces pancreatic amylase, which further digests carbohydrates in the small intestine. Gall bladder and liver do not produce amylase. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the production sites of amylase in the digestive system.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: insulin production and blood sugar regulation. The liver is not responsible for insulin production; it is produced by the pancreas. The liver does play a role in blood sugar regulation by storing and releasing glucose, but it is not the primary organ for insulin production. The other choices (A, B, C) are functions of the liver: A) nutrient processing involves metabolizing and storing nutrients, B) blood filtration and detoxification involves removing toxins from the blood, and C) cholesterol and lipoprotein production involves synthesizing cholesterol and lipoproteins.