1. Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays by

A. Reflecting UV rays away from the skin
B. Absorbing UV rays and converting them to heat
C. Blocking UV rays completely
D. Stimulating melanin production

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Absorbing UV rays and converting them to heat. Sunscreen contains ingredients that act as filters to absorb UV radiation before it reaches the skin. These filters then convert the UV rays into a less harmful form of energy, usually heat, which is then released from the body. This process helps prevent UV radiation from damaging the skin cells and causing sunburn or long-term skin damage. Reflecting UV rays away from the skin (A) and blocking UV rays completely (C) are not accurate functions of sunscreen. Additionally, stimulating melanin production (D) is not a direct way in which sunscreen protects the skin from UV rays.

2. Which structure in the heart is responsible for preventing the backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium?

A. Aortic valve
B. Pulmonary valve
C. Tricuspid valve
D. Mitral valve

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, the Mitral valve. The Mitral valve, also known as the bicuspid valve, is located between the left atrium and left ventricle in the heart. It consists of two cusps that close tightly when the left ventricle contracts, preventing the backflow of blood into the left atrium. The aortic valve (option A) is responsible for preventing the backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle, not the left atrium. The pulmonary valve (option B) prevents backflow from the pulmonary artery into the right ventricle, and the tricuspid valve (option C) prevents backflow from the right ventricle into the right atrium. Therefore, the Mitral valve is specifically responsible for preventing backflow from the left ventricle into the left atrium.

3. What type of enzyme breaks down carbohydrates like starches and sugars in the mouth?

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

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Amylase. Amylase is an enzyme specifically responsible for breaking down carbohydrates like starches and sugars in the mouth. It is produced by both the salivary glands and the pancreas. Pepsin (A) is an enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach, lipase (B) breaks down fats, and trypsin (D) is another enzyme that digests proteins but is produced in the pancreas and works in the small intestine. Therefore, amylase is the enzyme that targets carbohydrates in the mouth, aiding in the initial digestion process of these nutrients.

4. What happens to the density of a gas when its temperature increases at constant pressure?

A. It increases.
B. It decreases.
C. It remains the same.
D. Information insufficient

Correct answer: B

Rationale: As gas particles gain thermal energy with increasing temperature, they spread out, decreasing the density.

5. When light reflects from a surface, what determines the angle of reflection?

A. The material of the surface
B. The wavelength of the light
C. The angle of incidence
D. The intensity of the light

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The angle of reflection is always equal to the angle of incidence according to the law of reflection, regardless of the material, wavelength, or intensity.

6. The gradual change in a species over time is called:

A. Adaptation
B. Evolution
C. Speciation
D. Natural selection

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rationale: - Adaptation refers to the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment over time. While adaptation is a component of evolution, it specifically refers to the changes that help a species survive and reproduce in its environment. - Speciation is the process by which new species arise from a single ancestral species. It involves the evolution of reproductive isolation between populations. - Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the increase in frequency of those traits in a population. - Evolution is the gradual change in a species over time, encompassing all the processes such as adaptation, speciation, and natural selection that drive these changes.