General Science Practice Questions 3

Fatty acids are long hydrocarbon chains that are key building blocks of many lipids.

Plasma cells are immune cells, nucleic acids are DNA/RNA, and zinc is a trace mineral; none of these are lipid components.

Down syndrome results from trisomy 21, an extra copy of chromosome 21.

Chromosomes 13 and 18 are associated with other trisomies, and 23 refers to the sex chromosomes.

The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary trunk and arteries. Atria receive blood, and the left ventricle pumps to systemic circulation.

Long-term excessive alcohol use most commonly damages the liver (fatty liver → hepatitis → cirrhosis).

The kidney, pancreas, and gallbladder can be affected by alcohol, but the classic chronic target is the liver.

Each hemoglobin molecule has four heme groups, and each heme binds one O₂, for a total of four. Values like 2, 6, or 8 don’t match hemoglobin’s structure.

“Pump-handle motion” describes the sternum and upper ribs swinging upward during inspiration, increasing the anterior–posterior chest diameter.

“Lever action” is nonspecific, while inspiration and expiration are phases, not motion patterns.

Herbivores eat plants, “arthropods” is a phylum, and “prolific organisms” isn’t a dietary category.

Phenotype refers to observable traits such as eye color and height.

Genotype is the genetic makeup, and transcription/translation are processes of gene expression, not the traits themselves.

Neurons communicate at a synapse, where signals pass chemically (via neurotransmitters) or electrically to another neuron or effector.

The patella is the kneecap.

The pisiform is a wrist bone, the meniscus is fibrocartilage in the knee, and a popliteal bursa is a fluid-filled sac near the knee.

The glenohumeral (shoulder) joint is a ball-and-socket joint, allowing wide ranges of motion.

Saddle joints allow biaxial movement, hinge joints allow flexion/extension, and pivot joints allow rotation.

The organ of Corti is the sensory structure for hearing within the cochlea of the inner ear. It houses hair cells that transduce sound vibrations into neural signals.

Vitamin D deficiency impairs bone mineralization, causing rickets in children (and osteomalacia in adults).

Vitamin A deficiency is linked to vision/epithelial issues, while vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy. “Z” is not a vitamin.

Steroids are lipids with a characteristic fused-ring structure.

Proteins are polymers of amino acids, enzymes are mostly proteins that catalyze reactions, and “weak acid” is not a macromolecule class.

Cranial nerve X is the vagus nerve, a major parasympathetic nerve to thoracic and abdominal organs.

Abducens is VI, facial is VII, and hypoglossal is XII.

The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta for systemic distribution and has the thickest myocardium.

The right ventricle pumps to the lungs, and the atria receive blood returning to the heart.

Strong bases have high pH values, so 11.2–12.0 is strongly basic.

1.3–2.0 is strongly acidic, 4.5–5.2 is acidic, and 7.1–9.0 is weakly/basic to moderately basic.

The classic radiation rays are alpha, beta, and gamma (ionizing radiation).

Infrared is non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation and isn’t categorized among alpha/beta/gamma rays.

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. At constant velocity, the change in velocity is zero, so the acceleration is 0 m/s².

The other options show nonzero accelerations, which would imply the speed or direction is changing.

Newton’s second law states that net force equals mass times acceleration.

\(F = ma\)

\(F=mva\) is not a standard relation, \(v=\frac{d}{t}\) defines average speed, and \(p=mv\) is momentum, not Newton’s 2nd law.