How does the stability of an atom's nucleus influence its radioactive decay?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Unstable nuclei are more likely to decay through various processes. The stability of an atom's nucleus is a crucial factor in determining whether it will undergo radioactive decay. Unstable nuclei have an excess of either protons or neutrons, causing an imbalance in the nucleus. To achieve a more stable configuration, these nuclei will undergo radioactive decay by emitting particles or energy. On the contrary, stable nuclei are less likely to undergo radioactive decay as they possess a balanced number of protons and neutrons. Choice A is incorrect because stable nuclei can still undergo radioactive decay, albeit less frequently. Choice C is incorrect as decay does not make stable nuclei more prone to it; rather, it stabilizes them. Choice D is incorrect because an element's decay rate is primarily determined by the nucleus's stability, not its position on the periodic table.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Among the choices provided, carbon, in the form of diamond, has the highest melting point of any element. Diamond's strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms make it incredibly resistant to heat and pressure, giving it the highest melting point compared to tungsten, iron, and platinum. Tungsten is known for its high melting point among metals but not as high as carbon. Iron and platinum have lower melting points compared to carbon, making them incorrect choices in this context.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Chromium is the correct answer. Chromium is the element used in insulin that aids in its function by enhancing glucose uptake into cells and regulating blood sugar levels. It plays a crucial role in the body's energy production processes by facilitating the action of insulin. Zinc (Choice A), although important for various physiological functions, is not the element used in insulin. Manganese (Choice C) is necessary for enzyme activation but is not directly involved in insulin's function. Iron (Choice D) is essential for oxygen transport but is not the element used in insulin for promoting glucose uptake into cells.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Cardiac muscle. Cardiac muscle is characterized by a combination of voluntary and involuntary control, is striated, and is responsible for pumping blood throughout the circulatory system. Skeletal muscle is primarily under voluntary control, smooth muscle is primarily under involuntary control, and connective tissue is not a muscle type, but rather provides support and structure to the body.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the dorsal root. The dorsal root of the spinal cord contains sensory nerve fibers that transmit sensory information from the body to the brain. This information includes touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception. The ventral root, on the other hand, contains motor nerve fibers responsible for carrying signals from the brain to the muscles and glands, controlling movement and glandular functions. Gray matter, consisting mainly of cell bodies, is involved in processing and integrating sensory and motor information within the spinal cord. White matter is primarily composed of myelinated axons that facilitate communication between different regions of the nervous system, allowing signals to travel efficiently within the spinal cord and between the brain and other parts of the body. Therefore, the dorsal root is specifically associated with transmitting sensory information, making it the correct answer in this context.