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Which human excretory organ breaks down red blood cells and synthesizes urea?

A. lung

B. kidney

C. skin

D. liver

Answer Explanation:

D) liver

- Correct: The liver is the human excretory organ that breaks down red blood cells and synthesizes urea. Red blood cells have a finite lifespan and are continually replaced by new cells produced in the bone marrow. When old or damaged red blood cells are removed from circulation, their components are broken down by macrophages, primarily in the spleen and liver. The liver plays a crucial role in this process by breaking down hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, into heme and globin. Heme is further broken down into bilirubin, which is excreted in bile and eventually eliminated from the body in feces. Additionally, the liver synthesizes urea as a waste product of protein metabolism, which is excreted by the kidneys in urine.

A) lung

- Incorrect: While the lungs play a role in the excretion of carbon dioxide during respiration, they are not involved in breaking down red blood cells or synthesizing urea.

B) kidney

- Incorrect: The kidneys are responsible for filtering blood to remove waste products and excess substances, such as urea, creatinine, and electrolytes, to produce urine. While the kidneys excrete urea synthesized by the liver, they do not break down red blood cells.

C) skin

- Incorrect: The skin is involved in excreting certain waste products, such as sweat (containing water, electrolytes, and small amounts of urea and other metabolic waste), but it does not break down red blood cells or synthesize urea.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Science

  • Q #1: The graph below shows the effect of environmental temperature on a girl's skin temperature and on her internal body temperature. Which statement best describes what happens as environmental temperature increases from 20ºC to 30ºC?

    A. Both the internal and the skin temperatures reach 40ºC.

    B. Both the internal and the skin temperatures increase by about 7ºC.

    C. The skin temperature decreases to about 30ºC.

    D. The internal temperature increases by about 1ºC.

    Answer Explanation

    D) The internal temperature increases by about 1ºC.

    - Correct: As environmental temperature increases from 20ºC to 30ºC, the body's internal temperature tends to increase slightly. This is due to the body's thermoregulatory mechanisms, which work to maintain a relatively constant internal temperature (around 37ºC or 98.6ºF) despite fluctuations in environmental temperature. When the environmental temperature rises, the body responds by increasing blood flow to the skin and by initiating mechanisms such as sweating to dissipate heat and maintain thermal equilibrium. However, the increase in environmental temperature may result in a slight increase in internal temperature, typically by about 1ºC, as the body works to dissipate excess heat.

    A) Both the internal and the skin temperatures reach 40ºC.

    - Incorrect: A 10ºC increase in environmental temperature from 20ºC to 30ºC is not likely to cause both internal and skin temperatures to reach 40ºC. Such a significant increase would likely lead to heatstroke or hyperthermia, which can be life-threatening.

    B) Both the internal and the skin temperatures increase by about 7ºC.

    - Incorrect: A 10ºC increase in environmental temperature is not likely to cause both internal and skin temperatures to increase by about 7ºC. Such a large increase in temperature would be excessive and would likely lead to severe heat-related illnesses.

    C) The skin temperature decreases to about 30ºC.

    - Incorrect: In response to an increase in environmental temperature, the body typically increases blood flow to the skin and initiates mechanisms such as sweating to dissipate heat. This would not result in a decrease in skin temperature to match the environmental temperature of 30ºC.

  • Q #2: Which of these processes occurs in the mouth?

    A. ingestion

    B. mechanical digestion

    C. chemical digestion

    D. all of the above

    Answer Explanation

    d) all of the above

    - Correct: All of the listed processes occur in the mouth:

    a) Ingestion: The mouth is the entry point for food into the digestive system. Ingestion refers to the act of taking food or drink into the mouth.

    b) Mechanical digestion: Mechanical digestion involves the physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces through actions such as chewing and mixing with saliva. In the mouth, the teeth tear and grind food into smaller particles, which increases the surface area for chemical digestion.

    c) Chemical digestion: Chemical digestion involves the breakdown of food into smaller molecules by enzymes and other chemicals. In the mouth, salivary glands secrete saliva, which contains the enzyme amylase. Amylase begins the chemical breakdown of carbohydrates, converting starches into simpler sugars such as maltose.

    Therefore, all of the processes listed—ingestion, mechanical digestion, and chemical digestion—occur in the mouth during the initial stages of digestion.

  • Q #3: Which of these processes occurs throughout most of the alimentary canal?

    A. ingestion

    B. propulsion

    C. segmentation

    D. absorption

    Answer Explanation

    b) propulsion

    - Correct: Propulsion is the movement of food along the length of the alimentary canal, from the mouth to the anus. This process occurs throughout most of the alimentary canal and includes both swallowing (deglutition) and peristalsis. Swallowing moves food from the mouth to the esophagus, while peristalsis involves rhythmic contractions and relaxations of smooth muscles in the walls of the digestive organs, pushing food forward through the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

    a) Ingestion: Ingestion refers to the intake of food into the mouth, which occurs at the beginning of the alimentary canal.

    c) Segmentation: Segmentation involves the mixing and churning of food within certain regions of the digestive tract, particularly the small intestine. It does not occur throughout most of the alimentary canal but rather in specific areas where mechanical digestion and absorption are optimized.

    d) Absorption: Absorption is the process by which nutrients and water are taken up from the digestive tract into the bloodstream or lymphatic system. While absorption occurs primarily in the small intestine, it also occurs in other parts of the alimentary canal, particularly in the large intestine, but it is not a continuous process throughout most of the alimentary canal like propulsion.