Photons, the basic unit of light, are:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Photons are not charged particles; they are packets of energy that exhibit wave-particle duality, meaning they can behave as both particles and waves. While photons are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, they are not electromagnetic waves themselves but rather discrete energy packets. They are not always absorbed by matter; they can be reflected, transmitted, or scattered.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of membranes within the cell that plays a crucial role in protein and lipid synthesis. It consists of two types: rough ER, which is studded with ribosomes and involved in protein synthesis, and smooth ER, which is involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification. The ER's main function is to synthesize proteins and lipids, not just package and transport them. While the ER is involved in transporting these synthesized proteins and lipids to other parts of the cell or outside the cell, its primary role is in their synthesis. Breaking down macromolecules is primarily the function of lysosomes, which are membrane-bound organelles containing enzymes for digestion. Storing genetic material is the function of the nucleus, which houses the cell's DNA. The ER is not involved in storing genetic material.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The primary factor that determines whether a solute will dissolve in a solvent is the molecular structure. The compatibility of the solute's molecules with the solvent's molecules is crucial for dissolution to occur. While temperature, pressure, and particle size can influence the rate of dissolution, they are not the primary factors determining solubility. Molecular structure plays a key role in determining if a solute will form favorable interactions with the solvent, which is essential for dissolution to take place effectively. Temperature can affect solubility by changing the kinetic energy of molecules, pressure typically has a minor effect on solubility except for gases, and particle size influences the rate of dissolution by increasing surface area, but none of these factors are as fundamentally important as molecular structure in determining solubility.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Gluconeogenesis is the correct answer. It is the process of synthesizing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, such as amino acids or glycerol. A) Glycolysis is the process of breaking down glucose into pyruvate to produce energy. C) The Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle, generates energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. D) Oxidative phosphorylation is the final stage of cellular respiration where ATP is produced using energy derived from the electron transport chain. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are not the processes involved in converting simple sugars into complex carbohydrates.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A) Exocytosis is the process by which cells expel waste products or other substances by fusing a vesicle containing the waste with the cell membrane, releasing its contents outside the cell. This process is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis by removing waste products from the cell. B) Endocytosis is the process by which cells take in substances by engulfing them in a vesicle formed from the cell membrane. This process is the opposite of exocytosis and is used to bring substances into the cell. C) Phagocytosis is a type of endocytosis where cells engulf solid particles or other cells to form a vesicle called a phagosome. This process is used by immune cells to engulf and destroy pathogens. D) Pinocytosis is a type of endocytosis where cells engulf fluids and dissolved solutes. This process allows cells to take in nutrients.