What is the primary physiological function of erythrocytes in the human circulatory system?
A. Facilitation of gas exchange in the alveoli
B. Regulation of blood pH through the release of bicarbonate ions
C. Transportation of oxygen to body tissues
D. Synthesis of clotting factors in response to vascular injury
Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, play a crucial role in the circulatory system, primarily by facilitating the transportation of oxygen to body tissues. The other choices are also explained below:
A. Facilitation of gas exchange in the alveoli: While gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, it is primarily carried out by the respiratory system and involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between air and blood. Red blood cells do not directly participate in this process.
B. Regulation of blood pH through the release of bicarbonate ions: The regulation of blood pH is mainly maintained by the bicarbonate buffering system, which involves the action of the respiratory and renal systems. Red blood cells do play a minor role in transporting carbon dioxide, which can indirectly influence pH, but it's not their primary function.
D. Synthesis of clotting factors in response to vascular injury: Clotting factors are primarily produced by the liver and are involved in the blood clotting process to prevent excessive bleeding. Red blood cells are not directly responsible for synthesizing these factors.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is C.
More Questions on TEAS 7 Science
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Q #1: What is the difference between isotonic and isometric muscle contractions?
A. Isotonic contractions produce no movement while isometric contractions produce movement.
B. Isotonic contractions produce movement while isometric contractions produce no movement.
C. Isotonic contractions generate tension in the muscle while isometric contractions involve shortening of the muscle fibers.
D. Isotonic contractions involve contraction of individual muscle fibers while isometric contractions involve the entire muscle.
Answer Explanation
Isotonic and isometric contractions are two types of muscle contractions that differ in the amount of force produced and the movement of the muscle. In isotonic contractions, the muscle changes length and produces movement, such as lifting a weight. The force generated by the muscle remains constant throughout the movement. Isotonic contractions can be further classified as concentric contractions, in which the muscle shortens as it contracts, and eccentric contractions, in which the muscle lengthens as it contracts.
In contrast, isometric contractions occur when the muscle generates force without changing its length or producing movement. For example, holding a weight in a fixed position without moving it requires an isometric contraction. In an isometric contraction, the force generated by the muscle increases up to a maximum and then remains constant. Isometric contractions can be used to build strength and endurance in the muscle, but they do not produce movement.
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Q #2: What are the three types of salivary glands and where are they located in the mouth?
A. Parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands located in the cheeks, tongue, and roof of the mouth, respectively.
B. Sublingual, submandibular, and buccal glands located in the tongue, cheeks, and lips, respectively.
C. Parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands located in the roof of the mouth, cheeks, and under the jawbone, respectively.
D. Sublingual, parotid, and buccal glands located in the tongue, cheeks, and lips, respectively.
Answer Explanation
The three major pairs of salivary glands are the parod glands, sublingual glands, and submandibular glands. The parotid glands are located just in front of your ears. The sublingual glands are below either side of your tongue, under the floor of your mouth. The submandibular glands are located below your jaw ¹.
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Q #3: What is the name of the genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21?
A. Turner syndrome
B. Klinefelter syndrome
C. Down syndrome
D. Huntington's disease
Answer Explanation
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. It is also known as trisomy 21, because affected individuals have three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the normal two.
The extra chromosome 21 in Down syndrome occurs due to a random error in cell division, which leads to the production of an abnormal gamete (egg or sperm) with an extra copy of the chromosome. When this gamete fuses with a normal gamete during fertilization, the resulting zygote has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46, and develops into a fetus with Down syndrome.
Down syndrome is characterized by a range of physical and intellectual symptoms, including developmental delays, intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, heart defects, and increased risk of certain medical conditions such as leukemia and Alzheimer's disease. However, the severity and expression of these symptoms can vary widely among affected individuals.
