TEAS Science Practice
Test the high-yield anatomy and physiology concepts used in ATI TEAS 7 Science with 52 questions displayed directly on this page. Answer each item, open its rationale, then continue into the complete free Science question bank.
Answer each item before opening its rationale. Record the body system for every missed question, then review that system before attempting another set. The questions on this page are original TEAS-style study items, not copied ATI exam questions.
For broader preparation, open the TEAS Science study hub and the free Science question bank.
1. Which of the following best describes the primary role of an efferent (motor) neuron in the human nervous system?
B. Transmitting signals from the spinal cord to an effector, such as a muscle or gland Motor (efferent) neurons carry impulses away from the central nervous system to muscles or glands to trigger a response.
2. The human body utilizes sweat glands to assist in thermoregulation and the excretion of metabolic wastes. Which of the following nitrogenous waste products is commonly found in sweat as a byproduct of protein catabolism?
C. Urea Urea is a nitrogenous waste product formed from protein breakdown that is excreted in small amounts through sweat glands.
3. A patient recovering from surgery is prescribed a diet high in essential amino acids to accelerate the healing process. Which of the following best describes the physiological role these amino acids play in rebuilding damaged tissue?
A. Synthesize cellular proteins for tissue repair and development Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are essential for structural repair, enzyme production, and tissue growth in the body.
4. During which of the following cellular processes is solar energy converted into chemical energy and stored within the bonds of glucose?
C. Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is the process that converts solar energy into chemical energy, storing it in the bonds of glucose for later use by the cell.
5. Oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the external environment and the blood through the thin walls of which respiratory structure?
B. Alveoli The alveoli are the primary site of gas exchange in the lungs, featuring thin walls that allow oxygen and CO2 to diffuse into and out of the blood.
6. A student is examining a histological slide of the heart and observes a layer of smooth, thin epithelial tissue that is in direct contact with the blood within the ventricles. Which of the following layers is the student viewing?
C. Endocardium The endocardium is the innermost layer of the heart, consisting of smooth epithelial tissue that directly contacts the blood in the chambers.
7. Which of the following best describes the structural difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?
C. Saturated fats lack double bonds between carbon atoms, allowing them to pack tightly and remain solid at room temperature. Saturated fats have no double bonds and are solid at room temp; unsaturated fats have double bonds that create kinks, making them liquid.
8. The integumentary system includes various accessory structures that provide protection and support. Which of the following fibrous proteins is the structural basis for human hair and the hard outer layer of the skin?
B. Keratin Keratin is the fibrous protein forming the main structural constituent of hair, nails, and the outer skin layer, providing protection and waterproofing.
9. During the process of external respiration, in which specific structure does the exchange of gases between the inhaled air and the bloodstream occur?
B. Alveoli Alveoli are the tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the respiratory system and the bloodstream.
10. Aquaporins are specialized channel proteins that allow for the rapid movement of water across cell membranes. This process is best described as which type of transport?
B. Facilitated diffusion Water moves rapidly through cell membranes via aquaporins using facilitated diffusion, a passive transport mechanism that requires no energy.
11. A researcher is comparing a bacterial cell to a human liver cell. Which of the following organelles or structures would be found in both samples?
B. Ribosomes Ribosomes are found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells because all living things must synthesize proteins to survive.
12. In human liver cells, which organelle is primarily responsible for the detoxification of drugs and the synthesis of steroid hormones?
C. Synthesis of lipids and detoxification of toxins The Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER) is responsible for lipid synthesis, steroid hormone production, and detoxification of drugs and toxins.
13. The integumentary system aids in excretion by releasing substances produced during metabolic processes. Which of the following nitrogenous waste products is found in human sweat as a result of protein metabolism?
B. Urea Urea is a nitrogenous waste product of protein metabolism excreted in small amounts through sweat glands, alongside water and minerals.
14. A researcher is examining a newly discovered unicellular organism under a microscope. To determine if the cell is prokaryotic or eukaryotic, the researcher looks for specific organelles. Which of the following structures would be found in BOTH types of cells?
C. Ribosomes Ribosomes are found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells because all life requires protein synthesis, regardless of membrane-bound organelles.
15. A scientist is analyzing a nucleic acid sample and identifies the presence of the nitrogenous base uracil and the sugar ribose. This sample is most likely composed of:
B. RNA only RNA is composed of nucleotides containing ribose sugar, while DNA contains deoxyribose. Ribose has an extra oxygen atom compared to deoxyribose.
16. Within the basal layer of the epidermis, specialized cells produce a dark brown pigment that is packaged into melanosomes and distributed to neighboring cells to protect their DNA from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Which cell type is responsible for this process?
C. Melanocytes Melanocytes produce melanin and transfer it to keratinocytes to protect DNA from UV damage. Knowledge of epidermal cell types is essential for the TEAS.
17. During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which specific layer of the uterine wall thickens in preparation for potential implantation and is subsequently shed during menses if fertilization does not occur?
B. Endometrium (B) The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus that thickens and sheds during the menstrual cycle.
18. During the process of gas exchange in the lungs, which mechanism is primarily responsible for the movement of carbon dioxide from the pulmonary capillaries into the alveoli?
B. Diffusion down a concentration gradient Carbon dioxide moves from the blood to the lungs via simple diffusion, moving from an area of high concentration to low concentration without using energy.
19. A patient is found to have a small, benign tumor on their parathyroid gland that causes an overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Which of the following physiological effects would most likely occur as a result of this increased hormone level?
C. Trigger the release of calcium from the bone matrix into the bloodstream Parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases blood calcium by stimulating osteoclast activity, which releases calcium from bones into the bloodstream.
20. The involuntary rhythmic contractions used to move a bolus of food through the esophagus are primarily performed by which type of muscle tissue?
B. Smooth muscle Smooth muscle is responsible for involuntary movements like peristalsis in the esophagus and the rest of the digestive tract.
21. Within the human eye, which light-sensitive pigment derived from Vitamin A combines with the protein opsin to form rhodopsin in the rod cells?
B. Retinal Retinal is the light-absorbing pigment that combines with opsin to form rhodopsin, the primary chemical required for low-light vision in rod cells.
22. Which of the following types of cells is classified as a leukocyte?
B. Lymphocytes Lymphocytes are one of the five main types of leukocytes (white blood cells) responsible for the body's immune response.
23. A student examining an unknown cell under a high-powered microscope identifies several structures. Which of the following organelles or structures would be found in both a prokaryotic cell (like a bacterium) and a eukaryotic cell (like a human skin cell)?
C. Ribosomes Ribosomes are found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells because all living cells require proteins to function.
24. A botanist analyzes the nutrient composition of seeds harvested from two groups of sunflowers grown in different soil mixtures. The data shows that seeds from Group 1 have a significantly higher protein content by mass compared to seeds from Group 2. Which of the following is a logical inference based on this data?
B. Group 1 seeds contained higher concentrations of amino acids than Group 2 seeds. High protein levels directly correlate to higher concentrations of amino acids, which are the fundamental building blocks of proteins.
25. In a skeletal muscle cell, which specialized organelle acts as a reservoir for calcium ions (Ca²⁺) and is responsible for flooding the cytoplasm with these ions to stimulate a contraction?
B. Sarcoplasmic reticulum The Sarcoplasmic Reticulum (SR) is the specialized muscle organelle that stores and releases calcium ions to initiate muscle contraction.
26. In the nervous system, the specialized junction where a chemical signal or electrical impulse is passed from a neuron to another cell is known as the:
B. Synapse The synapse is the specialized junction where neurotransmitters are released to transfer a nerve impulse to a target cell.
27. During a physiological assessment, which of the following changes would result in a significant decrease in the diffusion of oxygen into the bloodstream?
A. An increase in the thickness of the alveolar-capillary membrane A thicker alveolar-capillary membrane creates a larger barrier, slowing the rate of oxygen diffusion into the blood.
28. Which of the following processes best illustrates the concept of cellular differentiation?
C. An unspecialized hematopoietic cell developing into a specific red blood cell. Cellular differentiation is the process by which an unspecialized stem cell becomes a specialized cell with a specific function and structure.
29. In a biological system, how do enzymes specifically influence the rate of a chemical reaction?
B. They function as biological catalysts that lower the activation energy required for a reaction. Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy without being consumed in the process.
30. Following a carbohydrate-rich meal, which specific cell type in the pancreas is stimulated to release a hormone that promotes the uptake of glucose by body cells?
B. Beta cells releasing insulin Beta cells in the pancreatic islets secrete insulin to lower blood glucose levels by promoting cellular uptake.
31. A patient is diagnosed with emphysema, a condition characterized by the destruction of the walls of the alveoli. Which of the following is the most direct consequence of this structural damage?
B. A decrease in the surface area available for gas exchange. Alveolar damage reduces the surface area available for gas exchange, leading to lower oxygen levels in the blood.
32. Which organelle produces most of a cell's ATP during aerobic respiration?
B. Mitochondrion Mitochondria use the citric acid cycle and electron transport chain to produce most cellular ATP.
33. Which chamber pumps oxygenated blood into the systemic circulation?
D. Left ventricle The left ventricle contracts to send oxygenated blood through the aorta to the body.
34. Where does most gas exchange occur in the lungs?
C. Alveoli Thin alveolar walls and surrounding capillaries permit rapid diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
35. What is the functional unit of the kidney?
B. Nephron Each nephron filters blood and modifies the filtrate to form urine.
36. Which hormone lowers blood glucose after a meal?
C. Insulin Insulin promotes glucose uptake and storage, reducing the glucose concentration in blood.
37. Which process moves water across a selectively permeable membrane?
A. Osmosis Osmosis is the passive movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane.
38. Which cells produce antibodies during an adaptive immune response?
B. Plasma cells Activated B lymphocytes differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies.
39. Which type of joint permits the greatest range of motion?
C. Ball-and-socket Ball-and-socket joints, such as the shoulder and hip, permit movement in multiple planes.
40. Most nutrient absorption occurs in which organ?
B. Small intestine Villi and microvilli give the small intestine a large surface area for nutrient absorption.
41. Which part of a neuron usually receives signals from other neurons?
C. Dendrite Dendrites are branched extensions specialized to receive incoming signals.
42. Sweating in response to increased body temperature is an example of what mechanism?
B. Negative feedback Sweating opposes the temperature increase and returns the body toward its set point, demonstrating negative feedback.
43. Which ion binds to troponin to initiate skeletal muscle contraction?
C. Calcium Calcium binding changes troponin's shape and exposes binding sites that permit actin-myosin interaction.
44. In which structure does fertilization most commonly occur?
C. Fallopian tube Fertilization most often occurs in the ampulla of a fallopian tube before the embryo reaches the uterus.
45. What usually happens to an enzyme exposed to a temperature far above its optimum?
B. It is denatured Excessive heat can disrupt the enzyme's three-dimensional shape and reduce its activity.
46. Which blood component is primarily responsible for clot formation?
A. Platelets Platelets aggregate at damaged vessels and help activate the clotting cascade.
47. Which skin layer contains most blood vessels, sensory receptors, and sweat glands?
B. Dermis The dermis is the vascular connective-tissue layer that houses receptors, glands, follicles, and blood vessels.
48. What is a primary function of lymph nodes?
B. Filter lymph and support immune responses Lymph nodes filter lymph and provide sites where immune cells encounter and respond to foreign material.
49. Which class of biological molecule includes enzymes?
C. Proteins Most enzymes are proteins whose three-dimensional shapes allow them to catalyze reactions.
50. Which formed element is primarily responsible for blood clotting?
B. Platelets Platelets adhere at damaged vessels and help form the platelet plug that initiates clotting.
51. What happens to thoracic volume when the diaphragm contracts during inhalation?
B. It increases The contracting diaphragm flattens, increasing thoracic volume and lowering pressure so air enters the lungs.
52. In a sealed, airtight container partially filled with water at a constant temperature, which of the following best describes the state of dynamic equilibrium between the liquid and gas phases?
B. Evaporation will occur until the rate of molecules escaping the liquid equals the rate of molecules returning to the liquid. In a closed system, equilibrium is reached when the rate of evaporation equals the rate of condensation, maintaining constant levels of each phase.
Continue with more cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, immune, digestive, urinary, reproductive, skeletal, muscular, and integumentary questions in the indexed TEAS Science question bank. Each question has its own explanation page, answer, rationale, and related practice links.
Use the TEAS 7 Science cheat sheet when a rationale reveals a content gap, then return to practice using active recall.
This page is maintained by the TEASAcademy Editorial Team — ATI TEAS 7 prep specialists. Content reviewed against the current ATI TEAS specification.