When a person pushes a box across the floor, which of the following forces is NOT doing work?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The normal force from the floor is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the box, so it does not contribute to the work being done. Work is only done by forces acting in the direction of motion of an object. In this case, the normal force is acting at a right angle to the motion, hence it does not perform any work on the box. The person's pushing force, the gravitational force, and the frictional force are all acting in the direction of motion of the box, so they contribute to the work being done in moving the box across the floor.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The shift in the peppered moth population towards more dark moths in England after the Industrial Revolution exemplifies natural selection acting on pre-existing variation. Initially, light-colored moths were well-camouflaged against lichen-covered tree trunks, but with industrial pollution darkening the tree trunks, dark-colored moths gained a survival advantage. This change reflects how the environment favored dark moths over light ones, illustrating natural selection. The process illustrates how organisms with traits advantageous in a changing environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the prevalence of those traits in the population over time. The choices of artificial selection (A), punctuated equilibrium (C), and Lamarckism (D) are not applicable in this scenario. Artificial selection involves intentional breeding by humans, punctuated equilibrium refers to rapid bursts of evolution followed by periods of stability, and Lamarckism suggests the inheritance of acquired characteristics, none of which align with the observed shift in moth populations based on environmental changes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A molecular clock is a method used to estimate the time of divergence between species by measuring the accumulation of mutations in DNA sequences. This method relies on the assumption that mutations occur at a relatively constant rate over time. If the rate of mutation were not constant, it would be challenging to accurately estimate the evolutionary divergence time between species. Therefore, option A is the most appropriate choice as it aligns with the fundamental principle underlying the molecular clock hypothesis. Option B is incorrect because the assumption that species with more morphological similarities diverged more recently does not directly relate to the concept of molecular clocks and the accumulation of mutations in DNA sequences. Option C is incorrect because mutations are not always beneficial and do not always contribute to increased fitness. Mutations can be neutral or deleterious as well, and their accumulation is what is used to estimate evolutionary di

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The skeletal system consists of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons that work together to provide structure, support, protection for internal organs, and facilitate movement. It is responsible for supporting the body's framework and protecting vital organs. The muscular system (option A) consists of muscles that work with the skeletal system to produce movement but does not include bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. The nervous system (option C) is responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body to control movement and other functions. The endocrine system (option D) is a collection of glands that produce hormones to regulate various bodily functions but is not primarily involved in structure, support, and movement as the skeletal system is.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ribosomes. Ribosomes are the organelles responsible for protein synthesis in the cell. They can be found either freely floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. The Golgi apparatus (Choice B) is involved in processing and packaging proteins, not protein production. Mitochondria (Choice C) are responsible for energy production, not protein synthesis. Lysosomes (Choice D) are involved in digestion and waste removal, not protein production.