What is the process of breaking down proteins into amino acids called?
- A. Proteolysis
- B. Lipolysis
- C. Carbohydrate catabolism
- D. Nucleic acid catabolism
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Proteolysis is the specific process of breaking down proteins into amino acids. Lipolysis refers to the breakdown of fats into fatty acids and glycerol, not proteins. Carbohydrate catabolism involves the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose for energy production, not proteins. Nucleic acid catabolism is the breakdown of nucleic acids into nucleotides, not proteins. Therefore, in the context of breaking down proteins into amino acids, the correct term is proteolysis.
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What are isotopes?
- A. Atoms of the same element with different numbers of protons.
- B. Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
- C. Atoms of different elements with the same number of protons.
- D. Atoms of different elements with the same number of electrons.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. While isotopes share the same number of protons, which determines the element, they differ in the number of neutrons. This variance in neutron count results in isotopes having different atomic masses. Choice A is incorrect because isotopes have the same number of protons (same element) but differ in the number of neutrons. Choice C is incorrect as it describes atoms of different elements, not isotopes of the same element. Choice D is also incorrect because isotopes can have different numbers of electrons, but what defines isotopes is the variation in neutron numbers.
Differentiate between gene therapy and genetic engineering in the context of human intervention.
- A. Gene therapy aims to modify existing genes within body cells, while genetic engineering manipulates genes in embryos to be passed on to offspring.
- B. Gene therapy focuses on treating genetic diseases, while genetic engineering enhances desirable traits or eliminates undesirable ones.
- C. Both involve directly altering the DNA sequence, but gene therapy targets somatic cells and genetic engineering modifies germline cells.
- D. There is no fundamental difference; both terms are synonymous.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect. Gene therapy does aim to modify existing genes within body cells, but genetic engineering does not necessarily manipulate genes in embryos to be passed on to offspring. Genetic engineering can involve modifying genes in any type of cell, not just embryos.
B) Correct. Gene therapy is a medical intervention that aims to treat genetic diseases by correcting or replacing faulty genes within an individual's body cells. On the other hand, genetic engineering involves modifying genes to enhance specific traits or eliminate undesirable ones, often in the context of agriculture or biotechnology.
C) Incorrect. While both gene therapy and genetic engineering involve altering DNA sequences, the distinction lies in the target cells. Gene therapy targets somatic cells (non-reproductive cells), while genetic engineering typically involves modifying germline cells (reproductive cells that can pass on genetic changes to offspring).
D) Incorrect. There is
What is the primary function of the strong nuclear force?
- A. Binding electrons in atomic orbitals
- B. Binding protons and neutrons within the nucleus
- C. Mediating the attractive force between opposite charges
- D. Mediating the repulsive force between like charges
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The strong nuclear force primarily functions to bind protons and neutrons within the nucleus. It is responsible for overcoming the electrostatic repulsion between positively charged protons, holding the nucleus together. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the strong nuclear force specifically acts on nucleons (protons and neutrons) within the nucleus, not on electrons in atomic orbitals or charges outside the nucleus.
During which phase of the cell cycle does cytokinesis typically occur?
- A. Interphase
- B. Mitosis
- C. Meiosis
- D. G2 phase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cytokinesis is the process of dividing the cytoplasm of a cell into two daughter cells after the nucleus has divided during mitosis. In the cell cycle, cytokinesis typically occurs at the end of the mitotic phase, following the separation of the duplicated chromosomes into two identical sets in the daughter nuclei. Interphase (option A) is the phase where the cell grows, carries out its normal functions, and prepares for cell division, but cytokinesis does not occur during this phase. Meiosis (option C) is a specialized type of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms to produce gametes, and cytokinesis occurs at the end of meiosis II, not meiosis I. G2 phase (option D) is the phase of the cell cycle following DNA replication in S phase and preceding mitosis, where the cell prepares for cell division, but cytokinesis occurs during mitosis, not in the G2 phase.
Vacuoles are large sacs for storage in plant cells. What is their main function in animal cells?
- A. Protein synthesis
- B. Waste storage and disposal
- C. Photosynthesis
- D. Cellular respiration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vacuoles in animal cells primarily function in waste storage and disposal, helping to maintain cellular homeostasis by storing waste products and aiding in their removal from the cell. Unlike plant cells, animal cells do not typically use vacuoles for storage purposes such as water, nutrients, or pigments. Instead, animal cells rely on other organelles like lysosomes for waste management and maintaining cellular balance. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because protein synthesis occurs in ribosomes, photosynthesis takes place in chloroplasts (absent in animal cells), and cellular respiration mainly occurs in mitochondria, respectively. Vacuoles in animal cells serve a different purpose compared to plant cells.