1. You test a new fertilizer on two groups of plants, one with fertilizer and one without. Both groups grow at the same rate. What is the most likely explanation?

A. The fertilizer has no effect on plant growth.
B. The control group accidentally received some fertilizer too.
C. Both groups received other nutrients from the soil, negating the fertilizer's effect.
D. The test period was too short to observe any difference.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A true control group should be identical to the test group except for the variable being tested. If both groups grew the same despite the fertilizer, it suggests external factors like soil nutrients masked any potential fertilizer effect.

2. What are the building blocks of proteins?

A. Sugars
B. Fatty acids
C. Amino acids
D. Nucleotides

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: Proteins are macromolecules made up of long chains of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are linked together through peptide bonds to form polypeptide chains, which then fold into specific three-dimensional structures to carry out various functions in the body. Sugars (A) are the building blocks of carbohydrates, fatty acids (B) are the building blocks of lipids, and nucleotides (D) are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.

3. How can you differentiate between a bacterial and viral infection based solely on symptoms?

A. It's impossible to differentiate solely on symptoms.
B. Bacterial infections typically respond well to antibiotics, while viral infections don't.
C. Bacterial infections usually cause fever, while viral infections don't.
D. Viral infections often present with respiratory symptoms like a cough, while bacterial infections don't.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Option B is the correct answer because bacterial infections are typically treated with antibiotics, while viral infections do not respond to antibiotics. This is a key differentiating factor between the two types of infections. While some symptoms may overlap between bacterial and viral infections, the response to antibiotic treatment is a reliable indicator. It's important to note that solely relying on symptoms to differentiate between bacterial and viral infections can be challenging since many symptoms can be similar. Therefore, the response to antibiotics is a more definitive way to distinguish between the two types of infections.

4. When writing dialogue, remember to:

A. Avoid contractions and informal language for realism.
B. Use formal vocabulary to sound sophisticated.
C. Create realistic speech patterns reflecting the characters' personalities.
D. Focus on descriptive narrative over character interactions.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Effective dialogue captures the characters' unique voices and personalities through realistic speech patterns and word choices.

5. What is the term for a group of organisms with the same genetic makeup?

A. Population
B. Clone
C. Genotype
D. Species

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rationale: - A population (option A) refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area. - Genotype (option C) refers to the genetic makeup of an individual organism. - Species (option D) refers to a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. In this context, a clone (option B) is a group of organisms that are genetically identical because they are derived from a single ancestor. This term specifically refers to organisms with the same genetic makeup, making it the most appropriate choice for the question.

6. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) targets and destroys which type of immune cell?

A. Neutrophils
B. Macrophages
C. Helper T cells
D. Memory B cells

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Helper T cells. HIV targets and destroys Helper T cells, which are a crucial component of the immune system responsible for coordinating the immune response. Neutrophils and macrophages are also important immune cells, but they are not the primary target of HIV. Memory B cells are responsible for mounting a rapid response upon re-exposure to a pathogen but are not the main target of HIV. Thus, HIV primarily affects Helper T cells, leading to the weakening of the immune system and the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).