1. Which digestive enzyme is primarily responsible for breaking down proteins?

A. Pepsin
B. Lipase
C. Amylase
D. Maltase

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pepsin. Pepsin is primarily responsible for breaking down proteins in the stomach. It is an enzyme produced by the gastric chief cells in the stomach lining and works in a highly acidic environment to break down proteins into smaller peptide fragments. Lipase, on the other hand, is responsible for breaking down fats, amylase for breaking down carbohydrates, and maltase for breaking down maltose (a type of sugar). Therefore, pepsin is the correct enzyme involved in the digestion of proteins.

2. The innate immune system provides:

A. Nonspecific, immediate defense against pathogens
B. Specific, long-term immune response through memory cells
C. Both (a) and (b)
D. Neither (a) nor (b)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Nonspecific, immediate defense against pathogens.' The innate immune system is the body's first line of defense against pathogens and provides a rapid, nonspecific response. It includes physical barriers like the skin, chemical barriers like stomach acid, and cellular responses like inflammation. This system does not involve memory cells or provide long-term immunity, which are characteristics of the adaptive immune system. Therefore, option A accurately describes the function of the innate immune system as a quick and nonspecific defense mechanism.

3. Square: A garden bed has a side length of 8 meters. What is its perimeter?

A. 16m
B. 24m
C. 32m
D. 64m

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Since all sides are equal, multiply the side length by 4: perimeter = 4 * side length = 4 * 8m = 32m.

4. Which of the following is an example of stabilizing selection?

A. Selection that favors extreme traits in a population
B. Selection that removes individuals with extreme traits
C. Selection that maintains the current average trait in a population
D. Selection that favors one specific trait over all others

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: - Stabilizing selection is a type of natural selection that favors the intermediate variants in a population, while selecting against the extreme traits. This results in the maintenance of the current average trait in the population. - Option A is incorrect because stabilizing selection does not favor extreme traits; instead, it favors the average trait. - Option B is incorrect because stabilizing selection does not remove individuals with extreme traits; it acts against extreme traits by favoring the intermediate variants. - Option D is incorrect because stabilizing selection does not favor one specific trait over all others; it favors the average trait by selecting against extreme traits.

5. In a food chain, which trophic level captures energy from the sun?

A. Decomposers
B. Carnivores
C. Producers
D. Omnivores

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: Producers, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria, are the organisms in a food chain that capture energy from the sun through the process of photosynthesis. They convert sunlight into chemical energy, which is then passed on to other organisms in the food chain. Producers are at the base of the food chain and form the foundation for all other trophic levels to obtain energy. Decomposers (option A) break down organic matter, carnivores (option B) consume other animals, and omnivores (option D) consume both plants and animals, but they do not directly capture energy from the sun.

6. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) targets and destroys which type of immune cell?

A. Neutrophils
B. Macrophages
C. Helper T cells
D. Memory B cells

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Helper T cells. HIV targets and destroys Helper T cells, which are a crucial component of the immune system responsible for coordinating the immune response. Neutrophils and macrophages are also important immune cells, but they are not the primary target of HIV. Memory B cells are responsible for mounting a rapid response upon re-exposure to a pathogen but are not the main target of HIV. Thus, HIV primarily affects Helper T cells, leading to the weakening of the immune system and the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).