Calcitonin, a hormone that helps regulate calcium levels, is produced by the:
- A. Thyroid gland
- B. Parathyroid gland
- C. Thymus gland
- D. Adrenal gland
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Calcitonin is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It helps regulate calcium levels in the body by inhibiting the breakdown of bone and promoting calcium excretion by the kidneys. The parathyroid gland produces parathyroid hormone (PTH), which works in opposition to calcitonin to regulate calcium levels. The thymus gland is involved in the development of the immune system, and the adrenal gland produces hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Therefore, the correct answer is the thyroid gland as it specifically secretes calcitonin for calcium regulation.
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?
- A. Made up of cells
- B. Able to reproduce
- C. Require energy
- D. Non-motile
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A) Made up of cells: All living organisms are composed of one or more cells, a fundamental characteristic of life as defined by cell theory. B) Able to reproduce: Reproduction is a key characteristic of living organisms to pass on genetic information. C) Require energy: Energy is essential for carrying out life processes like growth and maintenance of homeostasis. D) Non-motile: While some living organisms are non-motile, movement is common in many organisms for survival activities like finding food, escaping predators, and responding to the environment. Therefore, being non-motile is not a universal characteristic of living organisms, making it the correct answer in this context.
Which process is characterized by nuclear fission?
- A. A heavy nucleus capturing a neutron and releasing energy
- B. The fusion of two nuclei to form a heavier element
- C. A lighter element emitting an alpha particle through radioactive decay
- D. An electron being absorbed by the nucleus with the release of a gamma ray
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nuclear fission is the process where a heavy nucleus, like uranium-235, captures a neutron, leading to its division into two lighter nuclei. This process releases a substantial amount of energy in the form of heat and gamma rays. It is utilized in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs due to its capacity to produce significant energy. Choices B, C, and D describe different nuclear processes: fusion of two nuclei to form a heavier element, emission of alpha particles from a lighter element through radioactive decay, and absorption of an electron by the nucleus with the release of a gamma ray, respectively. These processes are distinct from nuclear fission and do not involve the splitting of heavy nuclei into lighter ones.
Which structure in the respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the bloodstream?
- A. Trachea
- B. Bronchi
- C. Alveoli
- D. Bronchioles
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs. Oxygen from the air diffuses into the bloodstream through the alveoli, while carbon dioxide from the bloodstream diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled. The trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles are essential parts of the airway system responsible for transporting air to and from the lungs but do not directly participate in the gas exchange process. Therefore, option C, the alveoli, is the correct answer for the structure responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the bloodstream.
What is the 'lock-and-key' model?
- A. Protein folding
- B. Enzyme-substrate interaction
- C. Muscle contraction
- D. Blood clotting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 'lock-and-key' model describes the specificity of the interaction between enzymes and their substrates. In this model, the enzyme's active site acts like a lock that can only be opened by the specific substrate molecule, which serves as the key. This specific binding ensures that enzymes catalyze particular reactions and do not interact with other molecules indiscriminately. Protein folding (option A) is the process by which a protein attains its functional three-dimensional structure but is not directly related to the lock-and-key model. Muscle contraction (option C) and blood clotting (option D) are complex biological processes but are not directly associated with the lock-and-key model of enzyme-substrate interaction.
How is power related to energy?
- A. Power is the same as energy
- B. Energy is the rate at which work is done
- C. Power is the amount of stored energy
- D. Energy is the rate at which power is transferred
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Energy is the capacity to do work, while power is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. Power is the amount of energy transferred or converted per unit time. Therefore, energy is related to power as the rate at which work is done. Choice A is incorrect because power and energy are not the same; they are related concepts but represent different aspects. Choice C is incorrect because power does not refer to stored energy but rather the rate of energy transfer. Choice D is incorrect because energy is not the rate at which power is transferred, but the capacity to do work or cause change.