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Parasitic worm infestation is hypothesized to be damaging to the host. However, scientists have recently discovered that worm infestation can relieve the effects of certain autoimmune disorders. In which of the following ways should the hypothesis be modified, given the new findings?  

A. Worm infestation prevents the body from immune malfunction

B. Worm infestation reduces the severity of certain autoimmune disorders

C. Worm infestations exacerbate the body's immune reactions

D. Lack of worm infestations is the cause of some autoimmune disorders

Answer Explanation:

The hypothesis should be modified to include the new findings that worm infestation can relieve the effects of certain autoimmune disorders.

A possible modification could be: “Parasitic worm infestation can have both damaging and beneficial effects on the host.

While it can cause harm, it has also been found to reduce the severity of certain autoimmune disorders.”

Choice A.

Worm infestation prevents the body from immune malfunction is not correct because it overstates the findings and implies that worm infestation completely prevents immune malfunction, which is not supported by the evidence.

Choice C.

Worm infestations exacerbate the body’s immune reactions is not correct because it contradicts the new findings that worm infestation can relieve the effects of certain autoimmune disorders.

Choice D.

Lack of worm infestations is the cause of some autoimmune disorders is not correct because it overstates the findings and implies a causal relationship between lack of worm infestations and autoimmune disorders, which is not supported by the evidence.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is B.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Science

  • Q #1: Testosterone is categorized as which of the following types of hormones?

    A. Estrogen

    B. Progestin

    C. Aldosterone

    D. Androgen

    Answer Explanation

    Testosterone is classified as an androgen hormone.

    Androgens are a type of sex hormone that primarily regulates the development and maintenance of male characteristics, such as body hair growth, muscle mass, and deepening of the voice.

    Testosterone is produced primarily in the testes in males and in smaller amounts in the ovaries and adrenal glands in females.

    Option A, estrogen, is a female hormone that regulates the development of female sexual characteristics, such as breast growth and menstruation.

    While estrogen and testosterone are both steroid hormones and can be converted to one another in the body, testosterone is not categorized as estrogen.

    Option B, progestin, is a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone.

    Progesterone is a female hormone that plays a role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

    Testosterone and progestin are not related, and testosterone is not categorized as progestin.

    Option C, aldosterone, is a mineralocorticoid hormone that regulates salt and water balance in the body.

    It is produced in the adrenal gland and plays a role in regulating blood pressure.

    Testosterone and aldosterone are not related, and testosterone is not categorized as aldosterone.

  • Q #2: Which of the following is correct regarding the pH scale?

    A. A substance with a pH of 3 is two times more alkaline than a substance with a pH of 4

    B. A substance with a pH of 3 is two times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 4

    C. A substance with a pH of 3 is 10 times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 4

    D. A substance with a pH of 3 is 10 times more alkaline than a substance with a pH of 4

    Answer Explanation

    The pH scale is a logarithmic scale that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

    A solution with a pH of 7 is neutral, while a solution with a pH less than 7 is acidic and a solution with a pH greater than 7 is alkaline.

    Because the pH scale is logarithmic, each whole number change in pH represents a tenfold change in acidity or alkalinity.

    Therefore, a substance with a pH of 3 is 10 times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 4.

    Choice A.

    A substance with a pH of 3 is two times more alkaline than a substance with a pH of 4 is not correct because it incorrectly states that the substance with a lower pH is more alkaline and also incorrectly states the magnitude of the difference in acidity or alkalinity.

    Choice B.

    A substance with a pH of 3 is two times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 4 is not correct because it correctly states that the substance with a lower pH is more acidic but incorrectly states the magnitude of the difference in acidity.

    Choice D.

    A substance with a pH of 3 is 10 times more alkaline than a substance with a pH of 4 is not correct because it incorrectly states that the substance with a lower pH is more alkaline.

  • Q #3: Which of the following structures in the female reproductive system secretes hormones to maintain the uterine lining during pregnancy?

    A. Umbilical cord

    B. Corpus luteum

    C. Oviduct

    D. Oocyte

    Answer Explanation

    The corpus luteum is a structure that develops in the ovary after an egg has been released.

    It secretes the hormone progesterone, which prepares the uterus for a fertilized egg to implant and helps maintain the uterine lining during pregnancy1.

     

     

    Choice A.

    Umbilical cord is not correct because it is a structure that connects the developing fetus to the placenta and provides nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, but does not secrete hormones.

    Choice C.

    Oviduct is not correct because it is a tube that transports eggs from the ovary to the uterus, but does not secrete hormones.

    Choice D.

    Oocyte is not correct because it is an immature egg cell, but does not secrete hormones.

     

  • Q #4: A myocardial infarction affects which of the following blood vessels of the heart?  

    A. Coronary

    B. Aorta

    C. Pulmonary

    D. Vena cava

    Answer Explanation

    A myocardial infarction affects the coronary blood vessels of the heart.

    A myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops in the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle 1.

     

    Choice B is incorrect because the aorta is not a blood vessel of the heart.

    The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

    Choice C is incorrect because the pulmonary blood vessels are not affected by a myocardial infarction.

    The pulmonary blood vessels carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

    Choice D is incorrect because the vena cava is not a blood vessel of the heart.

    The vena cava is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart.

  • Q #5: Which of the following results in osteoporosis?

    A. An increase in osteocyte activity while osteoclast activity continues at expected levels.

    B. A decline in osteoclast activity while osteoblast activity continues at expected levels.

    C. An increase in osteocyte activity while osteoblast activity reduces.

    D. A decline in osteoblast activity while osteoclast activity continues at expected levels.

    Answer Explanation

    A decline in osteoblast activity while osteoclast activity continues at expected levels results in osteoporosis.

    Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance between the functioning of osteoclast and osteoblast cells.

    Osteoblasts are responsible for forming new bone, while osteoclasts break down old bone.

    If osteoblast activity declines while osteoclast activity continues at expected levels, this means that more bone is being broken down than is being formed, leading to a loss of bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis.

    Choice A is incorrect because an increase in osteocyte activity would not result in osteoporosis.

    Osteocytes are mature bone cells that maintain the mineral concentration of the bone matrix.

    Choice B is incorrect because a decline in osteoclast activity would not result in osteoporosis.

    Osteoclasts break down old bone, so a decline in their activity would mean that less bone is being broken down.

    Choice C is incorrect because an increase in osteocyte activity would not result in osteoporosis.

    As mentioned earlier, osteocytes are mature bone cells that maintain the mineral concentration of the bone matrix.

  • Q #6: Which of the following ions binds to the troponin complex, initiating contraction of a muscle?

    A. Potassium.

    B. Calcium.

    C. Phosphorus.

    D. Sodium

    Answer Explanation

    Calcium ions play a crucial role in initiating muscle contraction.

    When a muscle cell is stimulated to contract by an action potential, calcium channels open in the sarcoplasmic membrane and release calcium into the sarcoplasm.

    Some of this calcium attaches to troponin, which causes it to change shape.

    This shape change exposes binding sites for myosin on the actin filaments.

    Myosin’s binding to actin causes crossbridge formation, and contraction of the muscle begins.

     

    The other ions mentioned in the question do not have this specific role in muscle contraction.

    Potassium ions are important for maintaining the resting membrane potential of cells, but they do not bind to the troponin complex.

    Phosphorus ions are important for energy metabolism, but they do not bind to the troponin complex.

    Sodium ions are important for generating action potentials, but they do not bind to the troponin complex.

  • Q #7: What is the approximate threshold value for mammalian neurons?

    A. -55 mV

    B. -80 mV

    C. +35 mV

    D. 0 mV

    Answer Explanation

    The approximate threshold value for mammalian neurons is -55 mV.

    The threshold potential is the critical level to which a membrane potential must be depolarized to initiate an action potential.

    Most often, the threshold potential is a membrane potential value between –50 and –55 mV

     

    The membrane potential of a neuron is determined by the distribution of ions across the cell membrane.

    At rest, the inside of a neuron is more negative than the outside due to the presence of negatively charged proteins and other molecules.

    The movement of ions across the cell membrane can change the membrane potential.

    For example, when sodium ions enter the cell, they make the inside of the cell more positive (less negative), causing depolarization.

    Choice B is incorrect because -80 mV is below the typical threshold value for mammalian neurons.

    Choice C is incorrect because +35 mV is above the typical threshold value for mammalian neurons.

    Choice D is incorrect because 0 mV is above the typical threshold value for mammalian neurons.

  • Q #8: Which of the following substances is responsible for donating H+ ions to act as a buffer when blood pH rises?  

    A. Carbon dioxide

    B. Carbon monoxide

    C. Carbonic acid

    D. Oxygen

    Answer Explanation

    Carbonic acid.

    In the human body, maintaining the pH of the blood within a narrow range is critical for proper physiological functioning.

    One of the buffering systems that helps to regulate blood pH involves the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into carbonic acid (H2CO3), which then dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-).

     

    Carbonic acid (H2CO3) is responsible for donating H+ ions to act as a buffer when blood pH rises.

    When blood pH rises (becomes more alkaline), carbonic acid dissociates, and the H+ ions combine with bicarbonate ions to form more carbonic acid.

    This helps to remove excess H+ ions from the blood and prevent the pH from rising too much.

    Option A, carbon dioxide, is involved in the buffering system through its conversion to carbonic acid.

    However, it does not directly donate H+ ions to act as a buffer when blood pH rises.

    Option B, carbon monoxide, is a toxic gas that binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, preventing them from carrying oxygen.

    It is not involved in the buffering system and does not donate H+ ions.

    Option D, oxygen, is carried by hemoglobin in red blood cells and is essential for respiration.

    It is not involved in the buffering system and does not donate H+ ions.

  • Q #9: Which of the following organic molecules contain both an amine and carboxyl group?

    A. Lipids

    B. Chitin

    C. Cellulose

    D. Proteins

    Answer Explanation

    Proteins.

    Proteins are made up of amino acids which are organic molecules that contain both an amine functional group (–NH2) and a carboxylic acid functional group (– COOH).

     
     

    Choice A, Lipids, is not the correct answer because lipids are a group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins, monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids, and others.

    They do not contain both an amine and carboxyl group.

    Choice B, Chitin, is not the correct answer because chitin is a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine, a derivative of glucose.

    It does not contain both an amine and carboxyl group.

    Choice C, Cellulose, is not the correct answer because cellulose is an organic compound with the formula (C6H10O5)n, a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to many thousands of β(1→4) linked D-glucose units.

    It does not contain both an amine and carboxyl group.

  • Q #10: The pleura is a connective tissue sheath that covers which of the following organs?  

    A. Liver

    B. Heart.

    C. Spleen

    D. Lung

    Answer Explanation

    The pleura is a double-layered serous membrane that covers each lung and lines the thoracic cage

    The pleura is a vital part of the respiratory tract.

    Its role is to cushion the lung and reduce any friction that may develop between the lung, rib cage, and chest cavity.

    Each pleura (there are two) consists of a two-layered membrane that covers each lung.

    The layers are separated by a small amount of viscous (thick) lubricant known as pleural fluid.

    The pleura is comprised of two distinct layers: the visceral pleura and the parietal pleura.

    The visceral pleura is the thin, slippery membrane that covers the surface of the lungs and dips into the areas separating the different lobes of the lungs (called the hilum).