1. What mineral is essential for muscle function and nerve transmission?

A. Calcium
B. Iron
C. Sodium
D. Potassium

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Calcium. Calcium is essential for muscle function and nerve transmission. Muscles require calcium to contract properly, and nerve cells use calcium ions to transmit signals throughout the body. Without an adequate amount of calcium, muscle cramps and nerve dysfunction can occur. Iron is important for oxygen transport in the blood, sodium and potassium are electrolytes important for fluid balance and nerve function, but they are not primarily responsible for muscle function and nerve transmission like calcium.

2. Microfilaments and microtubules are both components of the cytoskeleton, but they have different functions. Which of these describes microfilaments?

A. Provide structural support and shape
B. Facilitate cell movement and contraction
C. Form the mitotic spindle during cell division
D. Transport materials within the cell

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Microfilaments are composed of actin filaments and are responsible for facilitating cell movement and contraction. They play a crucial role in processes such as muscle contraction, cell division, and cell shape changes. Microfilaments are involved in generating forces for cell motility and maintaining cell shape, making option B, 'Facilitate cell movement and contraction,' the correct choice. The other options are not accurate for microfilaments: A) Structural support and shape are primarily provided by intermediate filaments, C) Mitotic spindle formation is attributed to microtubules, and D) Transport of materials within the cell is usually carried out by microtubules and motor proteins.

3. Which hormone is responsible for stimulating the development of sex organs and secondary sex characteristics during puberty?

A. Growth hormone
B. Testosterone (in males) and Estrogen (in females
C. Insulin
D. Thyroid hormone

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Testosterone (in males) and Estrogen (in females). During puberty, the release of these sex hormones plays a crucial role in the development of sex organs and secondary sex characteristics. Testosterone is responsible for male characteristics like facial hair, deepening of the voice, and muscle growth, while Estrogen contributes to female features such as breast development and the widening of hips. Growth hormone primarily regulates overall growth and development, while Insulin is involved in glucose metabolism and Thyroid hormone controls metabolism and energy levels. Therefore, the correct choice is B as Testosterone and Estrogen are specifically responsible for the changes seen during puberty.

4. A ball is thrown upwards. Which of the following statements is TRUE about its potential energy and kinetic energy at the peak of its trajectory?

A. Both potential and kinetic energy are zero.
B. Potential energy is maximum and kinetic energy is minimum.
C. Potential energy is minimum and kinetic energy is maximum.
D. Both potential and kinetic energy remain constant.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: At the peak, the ball momentarily stops moving, minimizing kinetic energy. However, it's still at its highest point, maximizing its potential energy due to gravity.

5. Energy for most cellular processes is produced in the:

A. Nucleus
B. Cytoplasm
C. Mitochondria
D. Ribosomes

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Mitochondria.' The mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, where the process of cellular respiration takes place to produce energy in the form of ATP. The nucleus (option A) houses the cell's genetic material but is not directly involved in energy production. The cytoplasm (option B) is a jelly-like substance that surrounds organelles but is not the primary site of energy production. Ribosomes (option D) are involved in protein synthesis, not energy production. Therefore, the mitochondria play a crucial role in generating energy for most cellular processes.

6. What is the importance of RNA splicing?

A. Removes introns from the mRNA molecule
B. Adds the poly-A tail to the mRNA molecule
C. Activates the mRNA molecule for translation
D. Modifies the structure of the protein

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: A) RNA splicing is a crucial process in gene expression where non-coding regions called introns are removed from the pre-mRNA molecule, and the remaining coding regions called exons are joined together to form the mature mRNA molecule. This process ensures that only the protein-coding sequences are retained in the mRNA for translation, allowing for the production of functional proteins. Therefore, option A is the correct answer as it accurately describes the importance of RNA splicing in generating mature mRNA molecules for protein synthesis. B) Adding the poly-A tail to the mRNA molecule is a post-transcriptional modification that occurs after RNA splicing and is not directly related to the process of removing introns. C) Activating the mRNA molecule for translation is typically achieved through the addition of a 5' cap and the poly-A tail, rather than through RNA splicing. D) Modifying the structure of the protein is not directly