Practice Science TEAS Test

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pancreas. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes such as amylase, lipase, and proteases that help break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the small intestine. The liver (A) produces bile but not digestive enzymes. The gallbladder (C) stores bile produced by the liver. The esophagus (D) is responsible for transporting food from the mouth to the stomach, not for producing digestive enzymes.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Small intestine. The small intestine is primarily responsible for absorbing nutrients due to its large surface area and presence of specialized structures like villi and microvilli. These structures increase absorption efficiency. The stomach mainly breaks down food, the esophagus is a passage for food, and the large intestine primarily absorbs water and salts. Thus, the small intestine is the main site for nutrient absorption in the digestive system.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Glycolysis. Glycolysis is the process where glucose is broken down into pyruvic acid through a series of enzymatic reactions in the cytoplasm. This process involves multiple steps including phosphorylation, isomerization, cleavage, and oxidation. Glycogenesis (choice A) is the synthesis of glycogen from glucose, not the breakdown. Glycogenolysis (choice C) is the breakdown of glycogen into glucose, not the conversion of glucose to pyruvic acid. Gluconeogenesis (choice D) is the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors, not the conversion of glucose to pyruvic acid.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Arteries. Arteries carry blood away from the heart because they have thick, muscular walls that can withstand the high pressure of blood being pumped by the heart. Arterioles are smaller branches of arteries, not the main vessels carrying blood away from the heart. Veins carry blood back to the heart, while venules are small vessels that collect blood from capillaries. Thus, the correct choice is arteries as they are specifically designed to carry blood away from the heart with their unique structure and function.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Thyroid. The thyroid gland produces hormones such as thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which play a crucial role in regulating metabolism. These hormones control the body's metabolic rate, affecting processes like energy production and consumption. The thymus (A) is responsible for immune function, the pituitary gland (B) regulates various hormones but not specifically metabolism, and the pancreas (C) produces insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels, not metabolism directly. In summary, the thyroid gland is the correct choice as it specifically regulates metabolism through thyroid hormones.