1. What is the primary hormone released by the parathyroid glands?

A. Insulin
B. Calcitonin
C. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
D. Thyroxine

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary hormone released by the parathyroid glands is Parathyroid hormone (PTH), which plays a crucial role in regulating calcium levels in the body. Insulin is produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels and is unrelated to the parathyroid glands. Calcitonin is produced by the thyroid gland and helps regulate calcium levels but is not the primary hormone released by the parathyroid glands. Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism and is also not released by the parathyroid glands. Therefore, the correct answer is C: Parathyroid hormone (PTH).

2. Which of the following is a common characteristic of alkynes?

A. They have a triple bond between carbon atoms.
B. They are saturated hydrocarbons.
C. They contain only single bonds.
D. They are aromatic compounds.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Alkynes are hydrocarbons that contain at least one triple bond between carbon atoms. This triple bond is a distinctive feature of alkynes, distinguishing them from alkanes (which contain only single bonds) and alkenes (which contain at least one double bond). Alkynes are unsaturated hydrocarbons due to the presence of the triple bond. Aromatic compounds, on the other hand, have a specific cyclic structure with resonance stabilization, which is not a characteristic of alkynes.

3. The lymphatic system is primarily responsible for:

A. Transporting nutrients throughout the body
B. Removing excess fluids and waste products from tissues
C. Producing red blood cells
D. Regulating body temperature

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Removing excess fluids and waste products from tissues.' The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance in the body by collecting excess interstitial fluid and returning it to the bloodstream. This system also helps in removing waste products, pathogens, and toxins from tissues, contributing to the body's immune response. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because transporting nutrients, producing red blood cells, and regulating body temperature are primarily the functions of other systems in the body such as the circulatory system, bone marrow, and the thermoregulatory system, respectively.

4. Which of these pairs represents an example of convergent evolution?

A. Humans and chimpanzees
B. Bats and birds
C. Dolphins and sharks
D. Snakes and earthworms

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rationale: Convergent evolution refers to the process by which different species independently evolve similar traits or characteristics due to similar environmental pressures. In the case of bats and birds, both have evolved wings for flight despite not sharing a recent common ancestor with wings. Bats are mammals, while birds are avians, yet they both have wings adapted for flight, which is a classic example of convergent evolution. A) Humans and chimpanzees share a common ancestor and have not independently evolved similar traits. C) Dolphins and sharks are not closely related, and their similarities are due to adaptations to their aquatic environment rather than convergent evolution. D) Snakes and earthworms belong to different classes (reptiles and annelids, respectively) and do not share recent common ancestors, making their similarities not a result of convergent evolution.

5. What defines the period of a wave?

A. The number of waves passing a point per unit time
B. The distance between two adjacent crests or troughs
C. The time it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass a point
D. The maximum displacement of particles in a medium due to the wave

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The period of a wave is defined as the time it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass a point. It is typically measured in seconds and is inversely related to the frequency of the wave. The period is not related to the number of waves passing a point per unit time (A), the distance between two adjacent crests or troughs (B), or the maximum displacement of particles in a medium due to the wave (D).

6. Repeating decimals can be expressed as fractions. Which of the following represents the decimal 0.7777... as a fraction?

A. 77/1000
B. 70/99
C. 777/900
D. 7/9

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Let x equal the decimal. Set up two equations such that the digits after the decimal point are identical. 1000x = 777.7777... 10x = 7.7777... Subtracting the two equations, we have 990x = 770. Dividing both sides by 990 gives us x = 770/990, which can be simplified to 77/90.