Which of the following is the function of a totipotent cell?
A. Fights infectious diseases.
B. Aids in the maturation of sex cells.
C. Carries electrical impulses.
D. Develops into any kind of cell.
A totipotent cell can self-renew by dividing and develop into the three primary germ cell layers of the early embryo and into extra-embryonic tissues such as the placenta.
A fertilized egg is a totipotent stem cell and as such can develop into any specialized cell found in the organism.
Choice A is not correct because totipotent cells do not fight infectious diseases.
Choice B is not correct because totipotent cells do not aid in the maturation of sex cells.
Choice C is not correct because totipotent cells do not carry electrical impulses.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.
More Questions on TEAS 7 Science
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Q #1: Hikers who found a human body at high altitude in the Italian Alps thought the man had died recently, but tests indicated he was shot with an arrow more than 5,300 years ago. Which of the following would be the best reason for prolonged preservation of the body? .
A. The food that the person ate contained toxins that killed the bacteria that would have otherwise destroyed the body
B. The arrow wound caused blood to flow out of the body, which led the enzymes that would break down tissue to be cleared from the body
C. The body was frozen in the cold temperature of the Alps shortly after he died and remained frozen until it was found
D. The ultraviolet rays at such a high altitude caused all the body's molecules to be preserved.
Answer Explanation
The best reason for the prolonged preservation of the body is that it was frozen in the cold temperature of the Alps shortly after he died and remained frozen until it was found.
Freezing can preserve a body by slowing down or stopping the decomposition process.
Choice A is not correct because the food that the person ate would not have contained toxins that killed the bacteria that would have otherwise destroyed the body.
Choice B is not correct because the arrow wound would not have caused blood to flow out of the body in a way that would have cleared enzymes that break down tissue from the body.
Choice D is not correct because ultraviolet rays at high altitude would not have caused all of the body’s molecules to be preserved.
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Q #2: Which of the following microorganisms lack their own metabolic pathways and can only reproduce inside of a host cell?
A. Bacteria
B. Protozoa
C. Helminths
D. Viruses
Answer Explanation
Viruses.
Viruses lack essential machinery needed to reproduce by themselves.
In fact, viruses can only reproduce after infecting a living cell - a process called viral replication.
Once inside a living cell, viruses re-program the cell’s machinery to produce viral proteins and genetic material to make new copies of themselves.
Choice A, Bacteria, is not the correct answer because bacteria have their own metabolic pathways and can reproduce outside of a host cell.
Choice B, Protozoa, is also not the correct answer because protozoa are singlecelled eukaryotes that have their own metabolic pathways and can reproduce outside of a host cell.
Choice C, Helminths, is not the correct answer because helminths are multicellular parasitic worms that have their own metabolic pathways and can reproduce outside of a host cell.
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Q #3: Which of the following glands synthesizes antidiuretic hormone?
A. Pineal gland
B. Thymus
C. Hypothalamus
D. Pancreas
Answer Explanation
The hypothalamus is a region of the brain that synthesizes antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin.
ADH is then transported to the posterior pituitary gland via neurohypophysial capillaries, where it is stored until it is ready to be secreted into the circulation.
Choice A.
Pineal gland is not correct because it is a small endocrine gland located in the brain that secretes the hormone melatonin, which regulates sleep-wake cycles, but it does not synthesize ADH.
Choice B.
Thymus is not correct because it is a gland located in the chest that produces hormones involved in immune system development, but it does not synthesize ADH.
Choice D.
Pancreas is not correct because it is a gland located behind the stomach that secretes hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood sugar levels, but it does not synthesize ADH.
