A recent study of the effects of the general anesthetic isoflurane suggests that it has a direct
impact on an organism’s biological clock. This study focused on honeybees because their
clock genes are similar to those found in mammals. Prior to the start of this study, bees were
trained to fly to an artificial flower to obtain sugar water and then return to the hive. In this
study, researchers caught the bees as they approached the artificial flower. Half of the bees
were anesthetized, and the other half were contained and not allowed to return to the hive
immediately. After six hours, when all the anesthetized bees had awoken, both groups of bees
were released. Honeybees use the sun to navigate, and their biological clock allows them to
correct for the time of day. The bees that were not anesthetized flew directly to the hive,
making adjustments for the time of day. However, those that were anesthetized made
adjustments as if the time were hours earlier and flew at the wrong angle. Doctors report that
people often emerge from general anesthesia disoriented in time and may sleep fitfully for a
while afterward. Based on the honeybee study, researchers are looking into ways to keep the
internal clock ticking normally even during surgery.
In a natural system, honeybees as well as the flowers they feed on and pollinate would be
considered a(n)
a. ecosystem.
b. population.
c. community.
d. organ system.
C
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Light suppresses secretion of __________ by the
pineal gland in the brain. Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
Which one of the following diseases is caused by a virus that is introduced to the body through the skin and travels along sensory neurons to the brain?
A) meningitis B) rabies C) epilepsy D) Alzheimer's disease E) Parkinson's disease
Allergy testing, which is accomplished by injecting tiny amounts of allergen into the skin and examining the injection site for a reaction, is an example of an in vitro test.
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
Polypeptides and proteins are produced during the process of
A. replication B. transcription C. mutation D. translation