What is the purpose of using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) in the laboratory?

Ionization is the process in which an atom loses or gains electrons to form an ion.

An ion is an atom or molecule that has a net electrical charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.

Choice B is not the best answer because oxidation refers to the loss of electrons from an atom or molecule.

Choice C is not the best answer because reduction refers to the gain of electrons by an atom or molecule.

Choice D is not the best answer because isotopic decay refers to the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation

Inflammatory cytokines released during the early response to bacterial infection play a crucial role in initiating cell recruitment and local inflammation 1.

They induce the expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells and promote the recruitment of neutrophils to the site of inflammation 1.

Choice A is incorrect because while inflammatory cytokines may enhance phagocytosis, they do not directly disrupt the infection.

Choice B is incorrect because inflammatory cytokines do not directly attack invading pathogens.

Choice D is incorrect because inflammatory cytokines do not secrete antibodies to neutralize pathogens.

The correct answer is choice A. Hydrogen bonds.

Hydrogen bonds are responsible for the unique properties of water and play a crucial role in the structure of DNA and proteins.

Hydrogen bonds are weak electrostatic attractions between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom and another electronegative atom.

Choice B.

Covalent bonds is incorrect because covalent bonds are strong chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electrons between two atoms.

Choice C.

Ionic bonds is incorrect because ionic bonds are chemical bonds formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions.

Choice D.

Van der Waals forces is incorrect because Van der Waals forces are weak intermolecular forces that arise from temporary dipoles induced in atoms or molecules.

Atomic mass is very close to mass number but with some deviation in the decimal places.

Atomic mass is also known as atomic weight and is the weighted average mass of an atom of an element based on the relative natural abundance of that element’s isotopes.

The mass number, on the other hand, is a count of the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom’s nucleus.

Choice A is incorrect because atomic mass and mass number do not mean the same thing.

Choice B is incorrect because atomic mass is not always greater than mass number.

Choice C is incorrect because atomic mass and mass number are related.

Diffusion.

During hemodialysis, waste products and excess fluids are removed from the blood by diffusion 1.

Diffusion is a separation process in which particles that are dissolved in a solution are relocated from an area of higher concentration in the blood to an area of lower concentration in the dialysate.

Choice A.

Active transport is incorrect because active transport is a process that uses energy to move molecules against a concentration gradient.

Choice B.

Osmosis is incorrect because osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration.

Choice D.

Facilitated diffusion is incorrect because facilitated diffusion is a process where molecules move down their concentration gradient with the help of carrier proteins.

The correct answer is choice A.

Increased respiration rate to remove excess CO2.

The body regulates blood pH through several mechanisms, including chemical buffers, the respiratory system, and the urinary system.

The respiratory system can adjust blood pH by changing the rate of respiration to remove or retain CO2.

When there is excess acid in the blood, the respiratory rate increases to remove more CO2, which helps to raise blood pH.

Choice B is incorrect because decreasing the respiration rate would retain CO2, which would lower blood pH.

Choice C is incorrect because increased water intake would not directly affect blood pH levels.

Choice D is incorrect because decreased water intake would not directly affect blood pH levels.

Hydrogen bonding is an interaction involving a hydrogen atom located between a pair of other atoms having a high affinity for electrons.

One atom of the pair (the donor), generally a fluorine, nitrogen, or oxygen atom, is covalently bonded to a hydrogen atom, whose electrons it shares unequally; its high electron affinity causes the hydrogen to take on a slight positive charge.

The other atom of the pair (the acceptor), also typically F, N, or O, has an unshared electron pair, which gives it a slight negative charge.

Mainly through electrostatic attraction, the donor atom effectively shares its hydrogen with the acceptor atom, forming a bond.

Choice B) The repulsion between the positive and negative charges of two molecules is incorrect because hydrogen bonding involves attraction, not repulsion.

Choice C) The attraction between two nonpolar molecules is incorrect because hydrogen bonding involves polar molecules.

Choice D) The attraction between two ionic molecules is incorrect because hydrogen bonding involves polar molecules and not ionic molecules.

Fertilization.

Fertilization is the process by which male and female gametes fuse to form a zygote.

Oogenesis (choice A) is the process by which female gametes, or eggs, are produced.

Meiosis (choice C) is a type of cell division that results in the formation of gametes.

Mitosis (choice D) is a type of cell division that results in the formation of two identical daughter cells.

The correct answer is choice A. Keratin.

Keratin is a fibrous protein that provides strength and protection to the body, particularly in the skin, hair, and nails.

It is found in epithelial tissue, which covers the body’s surface and lines its internal organs and cavities.

Choice B.

Collagen is incorrect because collagen is a fibrous protein that provides strength and support to connective tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.

Choice C.

Elastin is incorrect because elastin is a protein that provides elasticity to tissues such as skin and blood vessels.

Choice D.

Actin is incorrect because actin is a protein that plays a role in muscle contraction and cell movement.

The correct answer is choice C. Estrogen.

Estrogen is a steroid hormone responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics such as breast development, menstrual cycle, and widening of hips.

Choice A, Progesterone, is not the correct answer because it is required to maintain pregnancy and delivery.

Choice B, Testosterone, is not the correct answer because it is a hormone produced by the testes which controls the development of male secondary sexual characteristics.

Choice D, FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), is not the correct answer because it stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles in females and regulates spermatogenesis in males.