Category 1: Homeostasis and Excretion
MCQ:
Which structure is the functional unit of the kidney?
a) Ureter
b) Glomerulus
c) Nephron
d) Bowman's Capsule
c) Nephron
The Nephron is the microscopic structure responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.
MCQ:
What is the term for the biological study of human population size, density, distribution, and changes?
a) Ecology
b) Epidemiology
c) Demography
d) Sociology
c) Demography
Demography uses birth rates, death rates, and migration to study human populations.
True or False:
The ethical debate over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) primarily focuses on their potential to reduce global biodiversity.
This is True.
Concerns include genetic contamination of wild species and reliance on a few engineered crops, decreasing overall diversity.
MCQ:
The main process used to produce large quantities of human insulin using bacteria is...
a) Cloning
b) Fermentation
c) Genetic Engineering
d) Tissue Culture
c) Genetic Engineering
Genetic Engineering allows the human insulin gene to be inserted into a bacterial plasmid to create recombinant DNA.
MCQ:
The gap between two communicating neurons is called the...
a) Axon
b) Dendrite
c) Synapse
d) Myelin Sheath
c) Synapse
The Synapse is the small space where an electrical impulse is transmitted via chemical neurotransmitters.
Fill-in-the-Blank MCQ:
The hormone that increases the permeability of the collecting ducts to water, thus concentrating urine, is...
a) Insulin
b) Adrenaline
c) Thyroxin
d) ADH
d) ADH
Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) controls water reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct to maintain water balance (osmoregulation).
Fill-in-the-Blank MCQ:
The economic system where a country's industries and trade are controlled by private owners for profit is...
a) Socialism
b) Communism
c) Capitalism
d) Globalism
c) Capitalism
Capitalism drives much of the development and application of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
Fill-in-the-Blank MCQ:
In an ecosystem, the total mass of living matter at any trophic level is called the...
a) Biomass
b) Biome
c) Pyramid of Energy
d) Food Web
a) Biomass
Biomass is the dry weight of all living organisms in a given area.
Fill-in-the-Blank MCQ:
The circular ring of DNA found in bacteria that is often used as a vector in genetic engineering is called a...
a) Chromosome
b) Nucleus
c) Plasmid
d) Restriction Enzyme
c) Plasmid
Plasmids can be easily extracted, modified, and re-inserted into bacteria to carry new genes.
Fill-in-the-Blank MCQ:
The two main divisions of the human nervous system are the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the...
a) Somatic Nervous System
b) Autonomic Nervous System
c) Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
d) Sensory Nervous System
c) Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The PNS consists of all the nerves extending from the CNS (brain and spinal cord) to the rest of the body.
True or False:
Vasodilation in the skin results in more heat being conserved in the body.
This is False.
Vasodilation increases blood flow to the skin, causing heat to be lost by radiation and convection, thus lowering body temperature.
True or False:
Overexploitation of natural resources is more likely in countries with high levels of poverty.
This is True.
Poverty often forces communities to prioritize immediate survival over long-term sustainability and conservation.
MCQ:
Which term refers to the role an organism plays within its environment, including what it eats and its habitat?
a) Habitat
b) Community
c) Niche
d) Population
c) Niche
The niche is an organism's job or function, whereas its habitat is simply its address (where it lives).
True or False:
The ethical debate over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) primarily focuses on their potential to reduce global biodiversity.
This is True.
Concerns include genetic contamination of wild species and reliance on a few engineered crops, decreasing overall diversity.
MCQ:
Which structure in the human eye changes shape to focus light onto the retina, a process known as accommodation?
a) Lens
b) Pupil
c) Cornea
d) Iris
a) Lens
The Lens is adjusted by ciliary muscles to focus on near or far objects.
True or False:
The first step in urine formation, where substances are forced out of the blood into Bowman's capsule, is called selective reabsorption.
This is False.
The first step is Ultrafiltration; Selective Reabsorption happens mainly in the proximal convoluted tubule.
True or False:
The economic value of maintaining a rainforest is solely determined by the value of the timber it produces.
This is False.
Rainforests provide non-timber values like pharmaceutical compounds, climate regulation, and ecotourism revenue, which can be far more valuable.
Fill-in-the-Blank MCQ:
The increase in concentration of a persistent pollutant (like DDT or mercury) as it moves up the food chain is termed...
a) Eutrophication
b) Bioaccumulation
c) Biomagnification
d) Trophic Transfer
c) Biomagnification
Biomagnification (or bioamplification) causes top carnivores to have the highest pollutant levels.
True or False:
Cloning is a form of sexual reproduction because it involves the fusion of two cells from two different organisms.
This is False.
Cloning (like Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer) is a form of Asexual Reproduction, producing a genetically identical copy.
True or False:
All hormones travel through the body in the blood, but only affect specific target cells with the correct receptors.
This is True.
Hormones are chemical messengers transported by the bloodstream but act only where their receptors are present.
MCQ:
If blood glucose levels drop too low, which pancreatic hormone is released to stimulate the breakdown of glycogen?
a) Insulin
b) Adrenaline
c) ADH
d) Glucagon
d) Glucagon
Glucagon acts on the liver to convert stored glycogen back into glucose, raising blood sugar levels.
MCQ:
Which environmental practice is most economically beneficial in the long term for a small island developing state (SIDS) relying on tourism?
a) Clearing mangrove forests for hotels
b) Overfishing for export profit
c) Investing in coral reef and beach protection
d) Importing cheap goods
c) Investing in coral reef and beach protection
Protecting natural ecosystems like coral reefs and beaches ensures the long-term viability of the lucrative tourism sector.
True or False:
Eutrophication is caused by excessive levels of oxygen in a water body, leading to algal blooms.
This is False.
Eutrophication is caused by excessive nutrients (nitrates and phosphates), leading to algal blooms, which then deplete oxygen when they die and decompose.
Fill-in-the-Blank MCQ:
The laboratory technique used to grow large numbers of genetically identical plants from small pieces of plant tissue is...
a) Genetic Modification
b) Gene Therapy
c) Tissue Culture
d) Cloning
c) Tissue Culture
Tissue Culture (micropropagation) is a key technique for rapid, asexual propagation of crops.
Fill-in-the-Blank MCQ:
The gland that secretes thyroxine, which regulates the body's metabolic rate, is the...
a) Adrenal Gland
b) Pituitary Gland
c) Pancreas
d) Thyroid Gland
d) Thyroid Gland
The Thyroid Gland uses iodine to produce thyroxine, affecting energy production in cells.