What are the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the brain within the skull called?
- A. Meninges
- B. Cerebrospinal fluid
- C. Dura mater
- D. Arachnoid mater
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid acts as a shock absorber, protecting the brain from impact and providing nutrients to brain cells. Meninges are the three protective layers of tissue that surround the brain and spinal cord. Dura mater and arachnoid mater are specific layers of the meninges, not the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the brain.
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What is the main function of dietary fiber in the digestive system?
- A. To provide energy
- B. To break down fats
- C. To promote gut bacteria growth
- D. To aid in absorption of nutrients
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dietary fiber refers to the indigestible portion of plant foods that passes relatively intact through the digestive system. While fiber does not directly provide energy to the body, it plays a crucial role in promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. These bacteria help in the fermentation of fiber, producing short-chain fatty acids that can be used as an energy source by the body. Additionally, fiber aids in regulating bowel movements, maintaining gut health, and supporting overall digestive function. The functions described in the incorrect choices do not align with the primary role of dietary fiber in the digestive system. Choice A is incorrect because fiber itself is not a direct energy source. Choice B is incorrect as fiber does not break down fats. Choice D is incorrect because while fiber affects nutrient absorption indirectly by supporting gut health, its primary role is not to aid in the absorption of nutrients.
Which of the following is the intricate network of blood vessels responsible for transporting blood throughout the body?
- A. Lymphatic system
- B. Circulatory system
- C. Nervous system
- D. Respiratory system
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The circulatory system, comprising the heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries), and blood, is responsible for transporting blood, oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body. The lymphatic system aids in maintaining fluid balance and fighting infections; the nervous system transmits signals. The respiratory system facilitates the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body, which is distinct from the circulatory system's role in blood transport. Therefore, the correct answer is the Circulatory system (Choice B). Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not pertain to the intricate network of blood vessels responsible for transporting blood throughout the body.
What is the term for the process of exchanging gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the blood and the tissues?
- A. Inhalation
- B. Exhalation
- C. External respiration
- D. Internal respiration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: External respiration is the correct term for the process of exchanging gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the blood and the tissues. It specifically refers to the exchange of gases that occurs in the lungs, where oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is released from the bloodstream to be exhaled. Inhalation and exhalation, choices A and B, are phases of the breathing process that involve the intake and expulsion of air into and out of the lungs, respectively. Internal respiration, choice D, is the process of gas exchange that happens at the cellular level between the blood and body tissues, not between the blood and the lungs or tissues as in external respiration. Therefore, external respiration is the most appropriate term for the described gas exchange process in the question.
Decomposers in an ecosystem play a vital role by:
- A. Photosynthesizing and producing organic matter
- B. Breaking down dead organisms and returning nutrients to the environment
- C. Preying on herbivores and controlling their populations
- D. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it available to plants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler substances. By doing so, they help to recycle nutrients back into the environment, making them available for other organisms to use. This process is essential for the functioning of ecosystems, as it ensures that nutrients are not lost but instead are continuously cycled through the ecosystem. Photosynthesis (option A) is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, and it is not a role of decomposers. Preying on herbivores (option C) is a role typically carried out by predators, not decomposers. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere (option D) is a process carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria, not decomposers.
Which of the following is a common characteristic of alkynes?
- A. They have a triple bond between carbon atoms.
- B. They are saturated hydrocarbons.
- C. They contain only single bonds.
- D. They are aromatic compounds.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Alkynes are hydrocarbons characterized by at least one triple bond between carbon atoms. This triple bond sets them apart from alkanes, which only have single bonds, and alkenes, which feature at least one double bond. The presence of a triple bond makes alkynes unsaturated hydrocarbons. Choice B is incorrect as alkynes are unsaturated hydrocarbons, not saturated. Choice C is incorrect because alkynes contain at least one triple bond, making them different from compounds with only single bonds. Choice D is incorrect because aromatic compounds have a distinct cyclic structure with resonance stabilization, a feature not shared by alkynes.