What is the term for the pressure exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels?
- A. Heart rate
- B. Blood pressure
- C. Cardiac output
- D. Stroke volume
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Blood pressure is the term for the pressure exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and consists of two numbers: systolic pressure (the top number) and diastolic pressure (the bottom number). Heart rate (A) is the number of times the heart beats per minute, cardiac output (C) is the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, and stroke volume (D) is the volume of blood pumped by the heart in one contraction. Understanding blood pressure is crucial in assessing cardiovascular health and the risk of various conditions like hypertension.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which of the following is used to record the measurable electrical activity of the brain?
- A. CAT scan
- B. MRI scan
- C. Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- D. X-ray
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is an Electroencephalogram (EEG). An EEG is specifically designed to record the measurable electrical activity of the brain. It does so by using small, flat metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp to detect brain activity. This test is crucial in diagnosing various conditions like seizures, epilepsy, head injuries, dizziness, headaches, and brain tumors. The other options, CAT scan, MRI scan, and X-ray, are imaging techniques that do not directly measure the brain's electrical activity. CAT scan and MRI scan provide detailed images of the brain's structure, while X-ray is more suited for visualizing bone structures or dense tissues.
What is the difference between active and passive immunity?
- A. Active immunity is short-lived, while passive immunity is long-lasting.
- B. Active immunity involves the body's own immune response, while passive immunity provides immediate protection through antibodies from another source.
- C. Active immunity only protects against bacterial infections, while passive immunity works against both bacteria and viruses.
- D. Passive immunity requires repeated vaccinations, while active immunity is a one-time process.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Active immunity involves the body's own immune response, where the individual's immune system produces antibodies in response to exposure to a pathogen or vaccine. This type of immunity is long-lasting because the immune system 'remembers' the pathogen and can mount a rapid response upon re-exposure. In contrast, passive immunity provides immediate protection through the transfer of pre-formed antibodies from another source, such as through maternal antibodies crossing the placenta or receiving antibodies through an injection. Passive immunity is short-lived because the transferred antibodies eventually degrade and are not produced by the recipient's immune system. Choice A is incorrect because active immunity is generally long-lasting, as it involves the production of antibodies by the individual's immune system. Choice C is incorrect as both active and passive immunity can work against various pathogens, not limited to bacteria or viruses. Choice D is incorrect as passive immunity does not require repeated vaccinations but provides temporary protection through the transfer of antibodies from an external source.
What is a contraceptive method that uses hormones to prevent ovulation?
- A. Spermicide
- B. Barrier method (condom, diaphragm)
- C. Combined oral contraceptive pill
- D. Intrauterine device (IUD)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is the Combined oral contraceptive pill (C). This method contains hormones (estrogen and progestin) that prevent ovulation, making it an effective contraceptive. Spermicide (A) is a substance that kills sperm and does not use hormones to prevent ovulation. Barrier methods (B) like condoms and diaphragms physically block sperm but do not involve hormone-induced prevention of ovulation. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) (D) prevent pregnancy through different mechanisms, such as altering the uterine environment and preventing sperm from fertilizing the egg, not by hormone-induced prevention of ovulation.
What does the phrase 'survival of the fittest' refer to?
- A. Organisms with the most complex anatomical structures are more likely to survive and reproduce.
- B. Organisms that demonstrate the best adaptations to their environment have a higher chance of survival and reproduction.
- C. All organisms have an equal probability of survival and reproductive success regardless of their traits.
- D. Only the strongest and most aggressive individuals within a population will survive and reproduce.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The phrase 'survival of the fittest' is often associated with the concept of natural selection, proposed by Charles Darwin. Natural selection is the process by which organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to the next generation. This process does not necessarily favor the most complex anatomical structures (option A) or the strongest and most aggressive individuals (option D). Instead, it emphasizes the importance of adaptations that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in a specific environment. Option C is incorrect because natural selection results in differential reproductive success based on an organism's traits, meaning that not all organisms have an equal probability of survival and reproductive success.
Which of the following describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to protein?
- A. Replication
- B. Transcription
- C. Translation
- D. Both transcription and translation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Both transcription and translation.' Genetic information flows from DNA to RNA through transcription and from RNA to protein through translation. Replication is the process of copying DNA to produce an identical DNA molecule. Choice A, 'Replication,' is incorrect because replication is not directly involved in the flow of genetic information from DNA to protein. Choice B, 'Transcription,' is incorrect as it represents the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template, which is the initial step in the flow of genetic information. Choice C, 'Translation,' is also incorrect as it refers to the process of translating the information in mRNA into a sequence of amino acids during protein synthesis, which is the second step in the flow of genetic information.