1. Which term describes the functional unit of a skeletal muscle responsible for muscle contraction?

A. Myofibril
B. Sarcomere
C. Tendon
D. Myoglobin

Correct answer: b

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sarcomere. A sarcomere is the functional unit of a skeletal muscle responsible for muscle contraction. It is made up of overlapping filaments of actin and myosin proteins. Myofibrils are long, cylindrical structures within muscle cells that contain sarcomeres. Tendons are tough bands of fibrous connective tissue that connect muscles to bones and facilitate movement. Myoglobin is a protein found in muscle cells that stores oxygen for muscle use during exercise. Therefore, the sarcomere is specifically responsible for muscle contraction, making it the correct answer in this question.

2. A news article claims a scientist has discovered a single, universal cure for all allergies. This claim seems:

A. Entirely plausible and should be immediately accepted.
B. Unlikely and warrants further investigation and verification.
C. Impossible because allergies have diverse causes.
D. Irrelevant as long as it can help some people alleviate suffering.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Science rarely offers universal solutions for complex biological phenomena. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence and independent verification.

3. Which of the following is the basic unit of the nervous system?

A. Neuron
B. Nerve
C. Ganglion
D. Neuroglia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: Neurons are the basic structural and functional units of the nervous system. They are specialized cells that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals. Nerves are bundles of neurons, ganglia are clusters of nerve cell bodies outside the central nervous system, and neuroglia are support cells for neurons. However, neurons are specifically responsible for transmitting and processing information in the nervous system, making them the basic unit of this system.

4. What is the primary function of DNA polymerase?

A. Packaging DNA
B. Replicating DNA
C. Transcribing DNA
D. Translating mRNA

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rationale: DNA polymerase is an enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during DNA replication. It adds nucleotides to the growing DNA strand based on the template provided by the existing DNA strand. This process ensures that genetic information is accurately copied and passed on to daughter cells during cell division. Packaging DNA (option A) refers to the coiling and organization of DNA into chromatin, a process involving histones and other proteins. Transcribing DNA (option C) involves the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template, a process carried out by RNA polymerase. Translating mRNA (option D) refers to the process of protein synthesis where the information encoded in mRNA is used to assemble amino acids into a polypeptide chain.

5. What is the scientific term for a muscle that helps another muscle perform its action?

A. Agonist
B. Antagonist
C. Synergist
D. Fixator

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Synergist. A synergist muscle is a muscle that assists the prime mover (agonist) in performing its action by stabilizing joints or contributing extra force to the movement. Antagonist muscles oppose the action of the prime mover, while fixator muscles stabilize the origin of the prime mover to allow efficient movement. Understanding the roles of these muscles is essential in comprehending how various muscle groups work together to produce coordinated movements.