What is the basic unit of heredity?
- A. Chromosome
- B. Cell
- C. Gene
- D. Organ
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A gene is the basic unit of heredity that carries the instructions for making proteins, which determine an organism's traits. Genes are segments of DNA located on chromosomes within the cell. While chromosomes contain many genes, a gene itself is the fundamental unit of heredity responsible for passing on genetic information from one generation to the next. Cells are the basic structural and functional units of living organisms, but genes specifically carry genetic information. Organs are composed of tissues and serve specific functions within an organism, but they are not the basic unit of heredity.
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When sugar is heated, it breaks down into carbon and water vapor. This is an example of a:
- A. Combination reaction
- B. Decomposition reaction
- C. Double displacement reaction
- D. Single displacement reaction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Decomposition reaction. When sugar is heated, it undergoes a decomposition reaction where it breaks down into simpler substances, carbon, and water vapor. In a decomposition reaction, a single compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances. This process is the opposite of a combination reaction where two or more substances combine to form a new compound. Choice A, Combination reaction, is incorrect because a combination reaction involves the combination of two or more substances to form a new compound, which is the opposite of what happens when sugar breaks down. Choices C and D, Double displacement reaction and Single displacement reaction, are incorrect as they involve different mechanisms where the atoms or ions of the reactants are exchanged, which is not the case in the breakdown of sugar into carbon and water vapor.
Which vitamin is essential for proper absorption of calcium and plays a role in lung function?
- A. Vitamin A
- B. Vitamin B12
- C. Vitamin D
- D. Vitamin E
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is Vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial for the proper absorption of calcium in the intestines and is essential for maintaining lung function. It regulates calcium and phosphorus levels, crucial for healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin A is important for vision and immune function, not specifically for calcium absorption or lung function. Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve function and red blood cell production, not related to calcium absorption or lung function. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage, but it is not directly involved in calcium absorption or lung function.
Which hormone is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels and is produced by the pancreas?
- A. Insulin
- B. Glucagon
- C. Testosterone
- D. Estrogen
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin is the correct answer. It is the hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose from the blood into cells for energy production or storage. Glucagon, also produced by the pancreas, has the opposite effect of increasing blood sugar levels by promoting the release of stored glucose from the liver. Testosterone and estrogen are sex hormones produced by the testes and ovaries, respectively, and are not directly involved in regulating blood sugar levels.
What is the process of splitting a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing a vast amount of energy called?
- A. Nuclear fusion
- B. Nuclear fission
- C. Radioactive decay
- D. Chain reaction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Nuclear fission. Nuclear fission is the process of splitting a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing a vast amount of energy. This process is commonly used in nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. It is a controlled chain reaction that generates energy. Option A, Nuclear fusion, is the process of combining two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy. This process powers the sun and other stars. Option C, Radioactive decay, is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. Option D, Chain reaction, is a self-sustaining reaction where the products of one reaction event stimulate further reaction events. While chain reactions can occur in both nuclear fission and fusion, the specific process of splitting a heavy nucleus into smaller ones is known as nuclear fission.
Which type of waves travel by causing particles in the medium to vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel?
- A. Transverse waves
- B. Longitudinal waves
- C. Surface waves
- D. Electromagnetic waves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Longitudinal waves are waves in which particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel. These waves are characterized by compressions and rarefactions in the medium, where particles move back and forth in the same direction as the wave. Transverse waves, on the other hand, cause particles to vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel. Surface waves combine both longitudinal and transverse motion, making them different from pure longitudinal waves. Electromagnetic waves, unlike longitudinal and transverse waves, do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.