Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A concave lens is thinner at the center than at the edges, causing light rays to diverge when passing through it. This type of lens is also known as a diverging lens because it causes light rays to spread out. Concave lenses are used in various optical devices to correct vision problems and in scientific instruments to diverge light rays for specific purposes. The other choices are incorrect. A convex lens is thicker at the center and converges light rays, while a plano-convex lens has one flat surface and one convex surface, converging light. Diverging lens is a general term that can refer to concave or plano-concave lenses, but in this context, the specific type being referred to is a concave lens.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The resolution of an optical instrument, such as a microscope, refers to its ability to distinguish between very close, nearly identical objects. This is crucial in microscopy to clearly visualize and differentiate fine details and structures. Resolving power plays a significant role in determining the quality and effectiveness of an optical instrument. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the resolution of an optical instrument does not primarily deal with different colors of light, presence or absence of light, or variations in intensity. Instead, it specifically focuses on the instrument's ability to differentiate between objects that are very close and nearly identical in nature.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The 'lock-and-key' model describes the specificity of the interaction between enzymes and their substrates. In this model, the enzyme's active site acts like a lock that can only be opened by the specific substrate molecule, which serves as the key. This specific binding ensures that enzymes catalyze particular reactions and do not interact with other molecules indiscriminately. Protein folding (option A) is the process by which a protein attains its functional three-dimensional structure but is not directly related to the lock-and-key model. Muscle contraction (option C) and blood clotting (option D) are complex biological processes but are not directly associated with the lock-and-key model of enzyme-substrate interaction.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Boiling point elevation.' Boiling point elevation is a colligative property that describes the increase in the boiling point of a solvent when a non-volatile solute is added to it. This occurs because the presence of solute particles in the solvent lowers the vapor pressure of the solution, requiring a higher temperature to reach the same vapor pressure as the pure solvent. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Freezing point depression refers to the lowering of the freezing point of a solution, vapor pressure lowering is the reduction in vapor pressure due to the presence of solute particles, and osmotic pressure is the pressure required to prevent the flow of solvent molecules across a semipermeable membrane in osmosis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Calcitonin is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It helps regulate calcium levels in the body by inhibiting the breakdown of bone and promoting calcium excretion by the kidneys. The parathyroid gland produces parathyroid hormone (PTH), which works in opposition to calcitonin to regulate calcium levels. The thymus gland is involved in the development of the immune system, and the adrenal gland produces hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Therefore, the correct answer is the thyroid gland as it specifically secretes calcitonin for calcium regulation.