1. Histamine, released during an allergic reaction, causes symptoms like:

A. Fever and fatigue
B. Runny nose and itchiness
C. Muscle aches and joint pain
D. Cough and shortness of breath

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Runny nose and itchiness.' Histamine is a chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction. It causes various symptoms such as itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. These symptoms are commonly associated with allergic reactions like hay fever or hives. Fever and fatigue (option A) are not directly caused by histamine release. Muscle aches and joint pain (option C) are not typical symptoms of histamine release during an allergic reaction. Cough and shortness of breath (option D) are more commonly associated with asthma or respiratory allergies rather than histamine release.

2. What is the final stage of both mitosis and meiosis?

A. Interphase
B. Telophase
C. Cytokinesis
D. G1 phase

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rationale: - Interphase (option A) is not the final stage of mitosis or meiosis; it is the phase before cell division where the cell prepares for division by growing and replicating its DNA. - Telophase (option B) is the final stage of both mitosis and meiosis. During telophase, the separated chromosomes reach opposite poles of the cell, the nuclear membrane reforms around each set of chromosomes, and the chromosomes begin to decondense. - Cytokinesis (option C) is the process of dividing the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells. While it occurs after telophase, it is not considered the final stage of mitosis or meiosis. - G1 phase (option D) is the first gap phase in the cell cycle, occurring before DNA replication. It is not the final stage of mitosis or meiosis.

3. Which sentence avoids a comma splice?

A. The wind howled, the branches swayed, and rain lashed against the windows.
B. He packed his bags, he checked the weather forecast, and then hit the road.
C. The movie was entertaining, it was also thought-provoking.
D. Tired and hungry, she stopped for a quick bite at the cafe.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Option C uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses, avoiding a comma splice.

4. Urine travels from the kidneys to the bladder through tubes called:

A. Urethra
B. Ureters
C. Renal arteries
D. Renal veins

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ureters. The ureters are the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The renal arteries and renal veins are blood vessels that supply and drain blood from the kidneys, respectively. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Understanding the anatomy of the urinary system is important for grasping how waste is processed and eliminated by the body.

5. The involuntary "fight-or-flight" response is controlled by the:

A. Sympathetic nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Enteric nervous system
D. Sensory nervous system

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Sympathetic nervous system. The "fight-or-flight" response is an automatic physiological reaction triggered by the sympathetic nervous system in response to a perceived threat or stressor. This system prepares the body for action by increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and redirecting blood flow to muscles. The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, controls the body's "rest-and-digest" response, promoting relaxation and digestion. The enteric nervous system primarily regulates the gastrointestinal system, while the sensory nervous system is responsible for transmitting sensory information to the brain. Therefore, the sympathetic nervous system is specifically responsible for initiating the fight-or-flight response.

6. Discern the INCORRECT function of the liver.

A. Bile production, aiding digestion.
B. Blood protein synthesis, such as albumin.
C. Glucose storage for energy regulation.
D. Filtration of waste products from the blood.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Rationale: A) Correct - The liver produces bile, which aids in the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. B) Correct - The liver is responsible for synthesizing blood proteins, including albumin, which helps maintain osmotic pressure in the blood. C) Correct - The liver stores glucose in the form of glycogen and helps regulate blood sugar levels by releasing glucose when needed. D) Incorrect - The liver does not filter waste products from the blood. Instead, the kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and excreting them in the form of urine.