Which of the following statements best supports the hypothesis that viruses can cause cancer?

Proteins.

Proteins are made up of amino acids which are organic molecules that contain both an amine functional group (–NH2) and a carboxylic acid functional group (– COOH).

Choice A, Lipids, is not the correct answer because lipids are a group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins, monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids, and others.

They do not contain both an amine and carboxyl group.

Choice B, Chitin, is not the correct answer because chitin is a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine, a derivative of glucose.

It does not contain both an amine and carboxyl group.

Choice C, Cellulose, is not the correct answer because cellulose is an organic compound with the formula (C6H10O5)n, a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to many thousands of β(1→4) linked D-glucose units.

It does not contain both an amine and carboxyl group.

A decline in osteoblast activity while osteoclast activity continues at expected levels results in osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance between the functioning of osteoclast and osteoblast cells.

Osteoblasts are responsible for forming new bone, while osteoclasts break down old bone.

If osteoblast activity declines while osteoclast activity continues at expected levels, this means that more bone is being broken down than is being formed, leading to a loss of bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis.

Choice A is incorrect because an increase in osteocyte activity would not result in osteoporosis.

Osteocytes are mature bone cells that maintain the mineral concentration of the bone matrix.

Choice B is incorrect because a decline in osteoclast activity would not result in osteoporosis.

Osteoclasts break down old bone, so a decline in their activity would mean that less bone is being broken down.

Choice C is incorrect because an increase in osteocyte activity would not result in osteoporosis.

As mentioned earlier, osteocytes are mature bone cells that maintain the mineral concentration of the bone matrix.

The polarity of water molecules explains its solvent abilities for certain substances.

Water is a polar molecule because it has a partial positive charge on one end and a partial negative charge on the other end due to the unequal sharing of electrons between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms.

This polarity allows water to dissolve other polar substances and ionic compounds.

Choice A.

Kinetic energy of liquid water molecules is not the correct answer because kinetic energy refers to the energy of motion and does not directly explain water’s solvent abilities.

Choice B.

High specific heat is not the correct answer because specific heat refers to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance and does not directly explain water’s solvent abilities.

Choice C.

High surface tension is not the correct answer because surface tension refers to the cohesive forces between liquid molecules and does not directly explain water’s solvent abilities.

Heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects.

The data in the table shows that as the number of filters (and therefore the mass) increases, the terminal velocity also increases.

This means that the heavier objects (with more filters) are falling faster than the lighter objects (with fewer filters).

Choice A is not supported by the data in the table as much as it is true.

Terminal velocity is indeed when the force of gravity is equal to air resistance, but this definition does not provide any information about the relationship between mass and terminal velocity.

Choice B is also not supported by the data in the table.

The data does not provide any information about the time it takes for an object to reach terminal velocity.

Choice D is not supported by the data in the table.

The data shows that as the number of filters increases, the terminal velocity also increases.

This means that the greater the number of filters, the greater (not smaller) the terminal velocity.

The glomerulus is the main filtering unit of the kidney.

It is formed by a network of small blood vessels (capillaries) enclosed within a sac called the Bowman’s capsule.

The blood supply to the glomerulus is provided via the afferent arteriole.

The blood then flows through the capillary network, where it gets filtered, and then leaves the glomerulus via the efferent arteriole.

Choice B.

Proximal tubule is not correct because it is where the ultrafiltrate collected in the Bowman’s space drains directly into.

Choice C.

Distal tubule is not correct because it is not mentioned in relation to blood exiting the glomerulus.

Choice D.

Afferent arteriole is not correct because it provides blood supply to the glomerulus.

Calcium ions play a crucial role in initiating muscle contraction.

When a muscle cell is stimulated to contract by an action potential, calcium channels open in the sarcoplasmic membrane and release calcium into the sarcoplasm.

Some of this calcium attaches to troponin, which causes it to change shape.

This shape change exposes binding sites for myosin on the actin filaments.

Myosin’s binding to actin causes crossbridge formation, and contraction of the muscle begins.

The other ions mentioned in the question do not have this specific role in muscle contraction.

Potassium ions are important for maintaining the resting membrane potential of cells, but they do not bind to the troponin complex.

Phosphorus ions are important for energy metabolism, but they do not bind to the troponin complex.

Sodium ions are important for generating action potentials, but they do not bind to the troponin complex.

The pleura is a double-layered serous membrane that covers each lung and lines the thoracic cage

The pleura is a vital part of the respiratory tract.

Its role is to cushion the lung and reduce any friction that may develop between the lung, rib cage, and chest cavity.

Each pleura (there are two) consists of a two-layered membrane that covers each lung.

The layers are separated by a small amount of viscous (thick) lubricant known as pleural fluid.

The pleura is comprised of two distinct layers: the visceral pleura and the parietal pleura.

The visceral pleura is the thin, slippery membrane that covers the surface of the lungs and dips into the areas separating the different lobes of the lungs (called the hilum).

The corpus luteum is a structure that develops in the ovary after an egg has been released.

It secretes the hormone progesterone, which prepares the uterus for a fertilized egg to implant and helps maintain the uterine lining during pregnancy1.

Choice A.

Umbilical cord is not correct because it is a structure that connects the developing fetus to the placenta and provides nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, but does not secrete hormones.

Choice C.

Oviduct is not correct because it is a tube that transports eggs from the ovary to the uterus, but does not secrete hormones.

Choice D.

Oocyte is not correct because it is an immature egg cell, but does not secrete hormones.

Melanin.

Melanin is a pigment produced by cells called melanocytes in the skin.

It protects the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation by absorbing and dissipating over 99.9% of absorbed UV radiation.

This helps to prevent DNA damage and other adverse effects of UV radiation on the skin.

Choice B.

Perspiration is not correct because it is a fluid produced by sweat glands in the skin that helps to regulate body temperature, but it does not protect the skin from UV radiation.

Choice C.

Sebum is not correct because it is an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands in the skin that helps to lubricate and protect the skin, but it does not protect the skin from UV radiation.

Choice D.

Keratin is not correct because it is a fibrous protein that provides strength and durability to the skin, hair and nails, but it does not protect the skin from UV radiation.

Amino acids have a unique structure consisting of an amino group (-NH3⁺) and a carboxyl group (-COO⁻) attached to a central carbon (called the α-carbon). At physiological pH (around 7.4), these functional groups often exist in their ionized forms:

• The amino group (-NH3⁺) is positively charged, acting as a proton acceptor (a base).
• The carboxyl group (-COO⁻) is negatively charged, acting as a proton donor (an acid).

This results in a zwitterion — a molecule with both a positive and a negative charge. Because amino acids can accept or donate protons depending on the pH of their environment, they have buffering capacity. This means they can resist changes in pH by stabilizing the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺).

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

• A. Monosaccharides: These are simple sugars without ionizable functional groups, so they cannot act as buffers.
• B. Ribonucleotides and D. Deoxyribonucleotides: While nucleotides have phosphate groups that can donate protons, they lack the dual positive and negative functional groups necessary for the strong buffering effect seen in amino acids.

Therefore, amino acids are the correct choice because their zwitterionic nature provides them with excellent buffering capacity.