Nokea
Which of the following describes the general function of cytokines in the immune system?
- A. They communicate between cells to instigate an immune response.
- B. They inhibit blood clotting during inflammation responses.
- C. They bind to specific pathogens to increase pathogen mass.
- D. They transport pathogens trapped in mucus to be destroyed in the stomach.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'They communicate between cells to instigate an immune response.' Cytokines are signaling molecules that act as messengers between cells in the immune system, playing a vital role in coordinating and regulating immune responses. They communicate with various immune cells to initiate appropriate responses against pathogens. Choice B is incorrect because cytokines do not inhibit blood clotting but rather regulate immune responses. Choice C is incorrect as cytokines do not bind to specific pathogens to increase their mass; instead, they regulate the immune response. Choice D is also incorrect because cytokines do not transport pathogens trapped in mucus to the stomach for destruction; they primarily function as signaling molecules within the immune system.
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How many neutrons are in an atom of the following element with a mass number of 50?
- A. 38
- B. 88
- C. 50
- D. 126
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Neutrons are found in the nucleus of an atom along with protons. To determine the number of neutrons in an atom, subtract the atomic number (number of protons) from the mass number. In this case, the mass number given is 50. Since the atomic number is not specified, we can infer it from the choices provided. The mass number of an element represents the total sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Therefore, the number of neutrons in this atom would also be 50, as the mass number is equivalent to the combined number of protons and neutrons, making choice C the correct answer. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not match the given mass number of 50.
Where does fertilization typically occur in the female reproductive system?
- A. uterus
- B. fallopian tube
- C. endometrium
- D. ovary
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fertilization typically occurs in the fallopian tube, specifically in the ampulla, which is the widest part of the tube. After ovulation, the released egg travels through the fallopian tube where it may encounter sperm for fertilization to take place. The fallopian tube provides the ideal environment for fertilization due to the presence of cilia that help move the egg and sperm towards each other. The uterus is where the fertilized egg will implant and develop into a fetus, not where fertilization occurs. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus that thickens to support a potential pregnancy but is not the site of fertilization. The ovary releases the egg during ovulation but is not where fertilization occurs.
A scientist designs an experiment to test the hypothesis that exposure to more sunlight will increase the growth rate of elodea, a type of aquatic plant. The scientist has accumulated data from previous experiments that identify the average growth rate of elodea exposed to natural sunlight in the wild.
In the experiment set up, there are three tanks housing ten elodea each. Tank A is positioned in front of a window to receive natural sunlight similar to what elodea are exposed to; tank B is positioned in front of the same window but has an additional sunlight-replicating lamp affixed to it; and tank C is positioned in a dark corner with no exposure to natural sunlight.
Which of the following is the control group in the above experiment?
- A. tank A
- B. tank B
- C. tank C
- D. There is no control group in this experiment.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: There is no control group in this experiment. A control group is a group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment being studied in order to serve as a baseline for comparison. In this case, all three tanks (A, B, and C) are being treated with different amounts of fertilizer, and there is no group that is left untreated to serve as a control for comparison. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they all represent tanks that are part of the experimental groups receiving different amounts of fertilizer, thus none of them can be considered the control group.
Which of the following is NOT a tissue layer found in skeletal bone?
- A. periosteum
- B. bone marrow
- C. enamel
- D. cancellous bone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Enamel is a hard, outer layer that covers the crown of a tooth and is not a tissue layer found in skeletal bone. The other options, periosteum, bone marrow, and cancellous bone, are all tissue layers or components found in skeletal bone. Periosteum is the connective tissue layer covering the bone surface, bone marrow is found within the bone cavities, and cancellous bone is a spongy, porous bone tissue.
Neurotransmitters send chemical messages across the gap between one neuron and another through which of the following structures?
- A. Schwann cell
- B. ganglion
- C. synapse
- D. axon
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Neurotransmitters send chemical messages across the gap between one neuron and another through a structure called the synapse. The synapse is a specialized junction where the axon of one neuron meets the dendrite or cell body of another neuron. Neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron and travel across the synaptic cleft to bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, transmitting the signal between the two neurons.
Choice A, Schwann cell, is incorrect as Schwann cells are responsible for producing myelin sheath around axons in the peripheral nervous system, not for transmitting neurotransmitters between neurons.
Choice B, ganglion, is incorrect as ganglia are clusters of nerve cell bodies outside the central nervous system and do not directly participate in the transmission of chemical messages between neurons.
Choice D, axon, is incorrect as the axon is a long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body and towards the axon terminals, where neurotransmitters are released into the synapse, but it is not the structure across which neurotransmitters travel to communicate between neurons.