1. What is a lifestyle practice that can weaken the immune system?

A. Getting enough sleep
B. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
C. Managing stress levels
D. Frequent smoking

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Frequent smoking is a lifestyle practice that can weaken the immune system. Smoking has been linked to various health issues, including suppressing the immune system's ability to fight off infections and diseases. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can impair immune function, making smokers more susceptible to illnesses. On the other hand, getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and managing stress levels are practices that support a healthy immune system, rather than weaken it.

2. According to Newton's third law of motion, if you push against a wall with a certain force, the wall will push back with:

A. A smaller force
B. An equal force
C. A greater force
D. No force at all

Correct answer: b

Rationale: Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

3. The pancreas releases a number of digestive enzymes into the small intestine. Which of the following enzymes is NOT produced by the pancreas?

A. Trypsin (protein digestion)
B. Amylase (carbohydrate digestion)
C. Lipase (fat digestion)
D. Lactase (sugar digestion)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Amylase (carbohydrate digestion). The pancreas produces digestive enzymes that aid in breaking down food components. Trypsin is produced by the pancreas for protein digestion, lipase for fat digestion, and lactase is an enzyme produced in the small intestine for breaking down lactose (sugar). Amylase, on the other hand, is primarily produced in the salivary glands and the pancreas to break down carbohydrates into simple sugars. Therefore, amylase is not a pancreatic enzyme for digestion, making it the correct answer in this question.

4. What is the strongest evidence for evolution?

A. The fossil record
B. Comparative anatomy
C. Biogeography
D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Rationale: A) The fossil record provides evidence of how organisms have changed over time, showing transitional forms and the progression of species. B) Comparative anatomy involves studying the similarities and differences in the structures of different species, which can reveal common ancestry and evolutionary relationships. C) Biogeography examines the distribution of species around the world, which can be explained by evolution and continental drift. By considering all of the above evidence together, scientists can build a comprehensive understanding of evolution and how species have changed and diversified over time.

5. Why is it important to have control groups in scientific experiments?

A. To please funding agencies and research institutions.
B. To showcase the researcher's ingenuity and creativity.
C. To allow comparison and isolate the effect of the variable being tested.
D. To provide additional data points for statistical analysis.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Control groups allow observation of what would happen without the tested variable, giving a baseline for comparison and isolating the specific effect being studied.

6. What protein complex controls the progression of mitosis through its activation and degradation?

A. Ribosome
B. Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)
C. Centriole
D. Microtubule

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rationale: A) Ribosome: Ribosomes are cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis and are not directly involved in controlling the progression of mitosis. B) Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK): CDKs are a family of protein kinases that regulate the cell cycle, including the progression of mitosis. CDK activity is controlled by cyclins, which bind to CDKs to activate them at specific points in the cell cycle. The activation and degradation of cyclins regulate the activity of CDKs, which in turn control the progression of mitosis. C) Centriole: Centrioles are involved in organizing the microtubules of the mitotic spindle but do not directly control the progression of mitosis. D) Microtubule: Microtubules are structural components of the cytoskeleton and are involved in various cellular processes, including mitosis, but they do not control