1. The involuntary reflex arc that withdraws your hand from a hot object involves the:

A. Central nervous system only
B. Peripheral nervous system only
C. Both CNS and PNS
D. Sensory neurons only

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Both CNS and PNS'. This is because the reflex arc involves both the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The sensory neurons in the PNS detect the stimulus (hot object), then send signals to the spinal cord in the CNS. The spinal cord processes the information and immediately sends a motor response signal back out through the PNS to move the hand away from the hot object. This rapid and involuntary response demonstrates the coordination between the CNS and PNS in executing the reflex arc.

2. The speed of light in a vacuum is measured in units of:

A. Meters per second
B. Hertz
C. Candela
D. Newton

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Meters per second.' The speed of light in a vacuum is a fundamental constant of nature and is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second. This speed is constant and does not vary based on the frequency or wavelength of light. Hertz (B) is a unit of frequency, Candela (C) is a unit of luminous intensity, and Newton (D) is a unit of force. Understanding the units used to measure the speed of light is important in physics and related fields to accurately describe the propagation of light in different mediums.

3. Which sentence uses the present perfect continuous tense correctly?

A. I have been working on this project since morning.
B. She has finished the book already.
C. They will be leaving for vacation tomorrow.
D. He had been living in the city for ten years.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Option A emphasizes the ongoing action (working) that started in the past and continues to the present.

4. Which of the following functional groups has the highest priority according to the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP) ranking system?

A. Alcohol (OH)
B. Aldehyde (CHO)
C. Carboxylic Acid (COOH)
D. Amine (NH2)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: According to the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP) ranking system, the priority of functional groups is determined based on the atomic number of the atoms directly bonded to the functional group. In this case, carboxylic acid (COOH) has the highest priority because the carbon atom is directly bonded to two oxygen atoms, which have higher atomic numbers than carbon. The alcohol (OH) group has a lower priority as the oxygen atom is only bonded to hydrogen, while the aldehyde (CHO) and amine (NH2) groups have lower priorities compared to carboxylic acid. Therefore, option C, carboxylic acid, is the correct answer as it has the highest priority in the CIP ranking system.

5. 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.