What is the coefficient of oxygen in the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of methane (CHâ‚„)?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of methane, CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O, the coefficient of oxygen (O₂) is 2. This indicates that two molecules of oxygen are required to react with one molecule of methane to produce carbon dioxide and water, ensuring the equation is balanced. Choice A is incorrect because the coefficient of oxygen is not 1 but 2. Choices C and D are incorrect as they do not represent the correct coefficient of oxygen in the balanced equation. Understanding the coefficients in a balanced chemical equation is crucial for accurately representing the stoichiometry of the reaction.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis, is primarily composed of keratinized dead cells. These cells are flattened, fully keratinized, and lack nuclei, serving a protective function for the skin. Melanocytes are responsible for producing melanin, providing skin pigmentation. Langerhans cells are involved in the immune response within the skin. Merkel cells are associated with sensory functions in the skin, particularly in touch sensations. Therefore, the correct answer is A as it accurately reflects the main constituent of the stratum corneum, which acts as a barrier against external factors.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Biological classification, also known as taxonomy, is the science of categorizing and organizing living organisms based on shared characteristics. The main purpose of biological classification is not to create a rigid and unchanging system (option A) or to simplify nature into neat and tidy categories (option C). Instead, it aims to help us understand the diversity of life on Earth and how different organisms are related to each other. By classifying organisms into groups based on their evolutionary relationships, we can gain insights into the interconnectedness of life and better appreciate the complexity and beauty of the natural world. Assigning organisms to specific ecological niches (option D) is more related to ecological studies rather than biological classification.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A lysosome is a membrane-bound organelle found in animal cells that contains digestive enzymes. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down various cellular components, such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and even foreign particles like bacteria. This breakdown process is crucial for maintaining cell health and function by recycling and disposing of cellular waste. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because lysosomes are not involved in transporting proteins and lipids throughout the cell (option B), protein synthesis (option C), or cellular respiration (option D). Lysosomes primarily function as the cell's 'recycling center' by breaking down and processing cellular materials.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Fertilization of the egg by sperm typically occurs in the fallopian tube. After ovulation, the egg is released from the ovary and travels through the fallopian tube, where it may encounter sperm for fertilization. The fallopian tube provides the ideal environment, including necessary nutrients and conditions, for fertilization to take place before the fertilized egg moves towards the uterus for implantation. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because fertilization does not occur in the ovary, uterus, or vagina. The ovary releases the egg, the uterus is the site for implantation, and the vagina is part of the birth canal but not the typical site for fertilization.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Mouth. The mouth is responsible for the mechanical breakdown of food through chewing and mixing with saliva. This process is essential for breaking down food into smaller, more digestible pieces before swallowing. The esophagus (choice A) is a muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach and does not participate in the mechanical breakdown of food. The stomach (choice B) primarily functions to further break down food using acids and enzymes, rather than mechanical means. The small intestine (choice C) is responsible for absorbing nutrients from the digested food, not for the mechanical breakdown of food.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When unpolarized light passes through a polarizing filter, the filter only allows light waves oscillating in a specific direction to pass through while blocking light waves oscillating in other directions. Since unpolarized light consists of light waves oscillating in all possible directions, when it passes through a polarizing filter, only half of the light waves (those oscillating in the direction allowed by the filter) are transmitted. As a result, the intensity of the transmitted light is reduced by half. Choice A is incorrect because the light is not completely absorbed; choice C is incorrect because the polarizing filter affects the transmitted light; and choice D is incorrect because the intensity does not double, but rather decreases by half due to the selective transmission of light waves in a specific direction by the polarizing filter.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Lymphedema is a chronic condition that occurs when lymph vessels become blocked, leading to swelling and fluid retention in the affected area. Inflammation of lymph nodes, spleen malfunction, or decreased bone marrow production are not directly associated with the development of lymphedema. Lymph vessels play a crucial role in carrying lymphatic fluid, and when they are blocked, it disrupts the normal flow of fluid, resulting in lymphedema. Therefore, the correct answer is that lymphedema occurs when lymph vessels become blocked.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Transcription is the correct answer. Transcription is the process of making copies of RNA from DNA. During transcription, the enzyme RNA polymerase binds to a specific region of DNA and synthesizes a complementary RNA strand based on the DNA template. This process is essential for gene expression and protein synthesis in cells. Replication (option A) refers to the process of making copies of DNA, not RNA. Translation (option C) is the process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA, not making copies of RNA from DNA. DNA repair (option D) involves mechanisms that cells use to repair damaged DNA, not the process of making RNA copies from DNA.