What is the primary pigment responsible for photosynthesis in plants?

The renal vein is responsible for draining oxygen-depleted blood from the kidneys and carrying it back to the heart through the inferior vena cava.

The other options refer to different structures:

• B. Renal Artery: Brings oxygenated blood to the kidneys, not draining it.
• C. Urethra: Transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, not involved in blood flow.
• D. Ureter: Carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder, also not related to blood drainage.

Osmosis is the process by which water molecules move across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, in order to equalize the concentration of solutes on both sides of the membrane. Selectively permeable membranes allow only certain molecules to pass through, while preventing the passage of others.

In osmosis, the movement of water molecules is driven by the concentration gradient of solutes, which cannot pass through the membrane. If one side of the membrane has a higher concentration of solutes than the other, water molecules will move from the side with the lower concentration of solutes to the side with the higher concentration of solutes, in an atempt to dilute the solutes and equalize the concentration on both sides.

Osmosis is important in many biological processes, including the uptake of water by plant roots, the regulation of water balance in animal cells, and the preservation of food by adding salt or sugar to create a hypertonic environment that inhibits bacterial growth.

The molecular geometry of a molecule of sulphur dioxide (SO2) is bent or V-shaped. This is because of the presence of two lone pairs on the sulfur atom, which cause repulsion and distort the bond angles in the molecule.

SO2 has a central sulfur atom bonded to two oxygen atoms by double bonds. The two double bonds and the two lone pairs of electrons on sulfur result in a trigonal planar arrangement of electron pairs around the sulfur atom. However, the repulsion between the lone pairs causes the two oxygen atoms to be pulled closer together, resulting in a bent or V-shaped molecular geometry.

The bent molecular geometry of SO2 affects its properties, such as its polarity and reactivity. SO2 is a polar molecule due to the asymmetric distribution of electrons, which results in a partial positive charge on the sulfur atom and partial negative charges on the oxygen atoms. This polarity makes SO2 a good solvent and reactant in chemical reactions, as well as a contributor to air pollution and acid rain.

The scientific purpose of retracing the steps of a fatal expedition, such as the 1924 climb of Mount Everest, would primarily be to assess the factors that contributed to the earlier expedition's failure. By analyzing the conditions, decisions made, and circumstances surrounding the previous climb, the mountaineer can gain insights into potential dangers, challenges, and mistakes that were encountered, which can inform current climbing practices and safety measures.

Here's why the other options are less appropriate as primary scientific purposes:

• B. To measure the oxygen levels at high elevation: While measuring oxygen levels can be a scientific goal, it is not the main focus if the intent is to understand the failure of the previous expedition specifically.
• C. To identify routes that can be explored in future climbs: This could be a minor aspect of the climb, but the emphasis is on understanding the past tragedy rather than route exploration.
• D. To show that modern technology makes climbing safer: Although modern technology may improve safety, the primary purpose of the climb, given the context, would be to learn from historical events rather than to prove a point about technology.

Thus, the scientific purpose of such a climb would be to assess why the earlier expedition failed.

Renin is an enzyme that is produced by the kidneys and it acts to elevate blood pressure. When blood pressure falls, the kidneys secrete renin into the bloodstream ³.

Innate immunity and adaptive immunity are two arms of the immune system that work together to protect the body from pathogens. Innate immunity is the first line of defense and is present at birth. It includes physical and chemical barriers such as the skin, mucous membranes, and antimicrobial peptides, as well as cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells that can quickly recognize and atack pathogens. Innate immunity is nonspecific, meaning it responds to a wide variety of pathogens in a similar way.

Adaptive immunity, on the other hand, is acquired after exposure to pathogens. It involves the production of antibodies and activation of T cells, which are specific to particular pathogens. Adaptive immunity takes longer to develop than innate immunity, but it provides a more specific and targeted response to pathogens. Once the adaptive immune system has been activated against a particular pathogen, it can provide long-term protection against future infections with that pathogen.

Option b) is incorrect because innate immunity is nonspecific while adaptive immunity is specific. Option c) is incorrect because antibodies are a part of adaptive immunity while T cells can be a part of both innate and adaptive immunity. Option d) is incorrect because adaptive immunity can provide long-term protection, while innate immunity provides immediate but short-lived protection.

A buffer is a solution that resists changes in pH when small amounts of an acid or base are added. Buffers work by neutralizing added hydrogen ions (H⁺) or hydroxide ions (OH⁻), thereby maintaining a relatively stable pH. Buffers are made up of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid.

• A. It decreases the pH of the solution: This is incorrect because a buffer does not always decrease pH; it resists changes in both directions.
• C. It causes the pH of a solution to become neutral: Incorrect because buffers do not necessarily make a solution neutral; they stabilize pH around a certain value.
• D. It permanently binds hydrogen ions: Incorrect as the binding is reversible, which is essential for maintaining pH balance.

The vertebral column, also known as the spine or spinal column, is a series of bones called vertebrae that extend from the skull to the pelvis. It provides support for the body and protects the spinal cord. The five regions of the vertebral column, starting from the top and moving downwards, are:

1. Cervical: This region is made up of seven vertebrae and is located in the neck. The first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas and the axis, are specialized to allow for head movement.
2. Thoracic: This region is made up of twelve vertebrae and is located in the upper and middle back. The thoracic vertebrae are larger than the cervical vertebrae and articulate with the ribs.
3. Lumbar: This region is made up of five vertebrae and is located in the lower back. The lumbar vertebrae are the largest and strongest of the vertebrae.
4. Sacral: This region is made up of five fused vertebrae and is located in the pelvis. The sacrum forms the posterior wall of the pelvis and articulates with the hip bones.
5. Coccygeal: This region is made up of four fused vertebrae and is located at the base of the vertebral column. The coccyx, or tailbone, provides atachment points for muscles and ligaments.

Ligaments are tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in a joint. They provide stability and support to the joint, preventing excessive movement and helping to maintain proper alignment of the bones.

The chemical formula for water is H2O. It consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.