1. You observe that plants in a greenhouse grow faster when exposed to red light compared to blue light. What is the next best step in your investigation?

A. Increase the intensity of the blue light.
B. Decrease the intensity of the red light.
C. Grow plants in complete darkness.
D. Grow plants exposed to both red and blue light at equal intensities.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The next best step in the investigation would be to grow plants exposed to both red and blue light at equal intensities. This will help determine if the observed growth difference is due to the specific wavelength of light (red vs. blue) or if it is related to the intensity of light. By exposing plants to both red and blue light at equal intensities, you can compare their growth rates and determine if one wavelength has a greater effect on plant growth.

2. What is the name of the master gland that regulates the function of many other endocrine glands?

A. Thyroid gland
B. Pituitary gland
C. Hypothalamus
D. Adrenal gland

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is often referred to as the 'master gland' because it plays a crucial role in regulating the function of many other endocrine glands in the body. It secretes hormones that control various processes such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction. The thyroid gland (A) primarily regulates metabolism, the hypothalamus (C) helps control the pituitary gland, and the adrenal gland (D) produces hormones involved in stress response. Therefore, the pituitary gland is the main gland responsible for coordinating the activities of other endocrine glands, earning it the title of the master gland.

3. Nuclear fission is a process characterized by:

A. A heavy nucleus capturing a neutron and releasing energy
B. The fusion of two nuclei to form a heavier element
C. A lighter element emitting an alpha particle through radioactive decay
D. An electron being absorbed by the nucleus with the release of a gamma ray

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Nuclear fission is a process characterized by a heavy nucleus capturing a neutron and splitting into smaller nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation. This differs from nuclear fusion, which involves the merging of two lighter nuclei to form a heavier element. The emission of an alpha particle by a lighter element is a form of radioactive decay, not fission. Absorption of an electron by the nucleus with the release of a gamma ray is not representative of fission reactions. Therefore, option A correctly describes the process of nuclear fission.

4. A table shows the average blood pressure readings for different age groups. How do you determine the highest average systolic pressure?

A. Find the largest number in the "systolic pressure" column.
B. Compare the means (averages) of each age group.
C. Add all systolic pressure values and divide by the total number of patients.
D. Subtract the lowest systolic pressure from the highest.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: - To determine the highest average systolic pressure, you need to identify the highest individual systolic pressure reading in the dataset. - Option A instructs you to find the largest number in the "systolic pressure" column, which directly addresses the task of identifying the highest systolic pressure reading. - Comparing means (Option B) would not necessarily give you the highest individual systolic pressure reading, as averages can be influenced by the distribution of values within each age group. - Adding all systolic pressure values and dividing by the total number of patients (Option C) would give you the overall average systolic pressure, not the highest individual reading. - Subtracting the lowest systolic pressure from the highest (Option D) would give you the range of systolic pressures, not specifically the highest individual reading. Therefore, the correct approach to determine the highest average systolic pressure

5. What is the meaning of the idiom "to cross that bridge when we come to it"?

A. To deal with a problem immediately
B. To plan for the future in detail
C. To worry about potential problems prematurely
D. To avoid difficult situations

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The idiom suggests dealing with challenges as they arise, not before.

6. What is the function of introns in eukaryotic genes?

A. They code for protein sequences.
B. They are involved in gene regulation.
C. They are removed during mRNA processing.
D. They are non-functional remnants of ancient DNA.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: A) Introns do not code for protein sequences. Exons are the segments of DNA that code for proteins. B) While introns can indirectly influence gene regulation, their primary function is not directly involved in gene regulation. C) Introns are non-coding regions of DNA that are transcribed into pre-mRNA but are removed during mRNA processing through a process called splicing. This allows only the exons to be included in the mature mRNA that will be translated into proteins. D) While introns were once thought to be non-functional remnants of ancient DNA, research has shown that they can have regulatory functions and play a role in gene expression.