1. The tiny contractile units within muscle cells are called:

A. Myocytes
B. Myofibrils
C. Sarcomeres
D. Tendons

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Sarcomeres. Sarcomeres are the basic contractile units within muscle cells. They are made up of overlapping filaments of actin and myosin proteins, which slide past each other during muscle contraction, resulting in muscle movement. Myocytes (A) are muscle cells, myofibrils (B) are cylindrical structures within muscle fibers composed of sarcomeres, and tendons (D) are tough bands of connective tissue that connect muscle to bone. Therefore, sarcomeres are specifically responsible for muscle contraction within muscle cells.

2. Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?

A. The play was long; however, it was very entertaining.
B. The guests arrived; Sarah greeted them at the door.
C. John likes apples; Mary prefers oranges.
D. He was tired; he went to bed early.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Option B joins two independent clauses related to the same event.

3. What is the author's stance towards the idea of smart cities?

A. Strongly supportive, emphasizing only the benefits.
B. Strongly critical, focusing solely on the drawbacks.
C. Balanced and objective, highlighting both potential and concerns.
D. Indecisive and unclear about the overall value of smart cities.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The passage acknowledges both the promise and challenges of smart cities, demonstrating a balanced perspective.

4. Which of the following is the main function of the skin?

A. To protect the body from harm
B. To regulate body temperature
C. To produce hormones
D. To sense touch, temperature, and pain

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: A) To protect the body from harm: The skin acts as a physical barrier that protects the body from external threats such as pathogens, UV radiation, and physical injuries. It helps prevent infections and dehydration, making it a crucial function of the skin. B) To regulate body temperature: While the skin does play a role in regulating body temperature through processes like sweating and vasodilation/vasoconstriction, its primary function is protection. C) To produce hormones: Hormone production is primarily carried out by endocrine glands such as the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, and adrenal glands, not the skin. D) To sense touch, temperature, and pain: The skin contains sensory receptors that allow us to perceive touch, temperature, and pain, but this function is secondary to its main role of protecting the body from harm.

5. Which of the following is NOT a source of genetic variation in a population?

A. Mutations in genes
B. Genetic drift (random fluctuations in allele frequencies)
C. Gene flow (movement of genes between populations)
D. Blending inheritance (traits of parents are averaged in offspring)

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Rationale: A) Mutations in genes: Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can introduce new alleles into a population, leading to genetic variation. B) Genetic drift (random fluctuations in allele frequencies): Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies in a population, which can lead to genetic variation through chance events. C) Gene flow (movement of genes between populations): Gene flow occurs when individuals move between populations, bringing new alleles with them and increasing genetic variation within populations. D) Blending inheritance (traits of parents are averaged in offspring): Blending inheritance was a historical theory that suggested offspring inherit a blend of traits from their parents, leading to a reduction in genetic variation over time. However, this concept has been disproven by the understanding of Mendelian genetics, where traits are inherited independently and do not blend together. Therefore, blending inheritance does not contribute

6. What is the term for a genetic disorder caused by a mutation on the X chromosome?

A. Autosomal dominant disorder
B. Autosomal recessive disorder
C. Sex-linked recessive disorder
D. Sex-linked dominant disorder

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: - Autosomal dominant disorders (Option A) are caused by a mutation in one copy of a gene on one of the non-sex chromosomes (autosomes). These disorders do not specifically involve the X chromosome. - Autosomal recessive disorders (Option B) are caused by mutations in both copies of a gene on the autosomes. They are not directly related to mutations on the X chromosome. - Sex-linked dominant disorders (Option D) are rare and typically result in more severe symptoms in males because they only need one copy of the mutated gene on the X chromosome to express the disorder. This is not the term for a genetic disorder caused by a mutation on the X chromosome. - Sex-linked recessive disorders (Option C) are genetic disorders caused by mutations on the X chromosome. These disorders are more commonly seen in males because they have only one X chromosome, making them more susceptible to X-linked mutations. Females have two