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Science · Drill 47

Science practice 47

11 questions ~9 min recommended
⏱ 00:00
Score
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During a weekend visit a while back, I decided to show my nephew, Paul, my old comic books. The pristine copies of Superman, Spider-Man, and my favorite, Green Lantern, were all stored neatly in a box. I thought it would be fun to introduce him to my favorite handful of characters. I knew Superman and Spider-Man were still popular, but I figured the Green Lantern of my youth had probably went1 the way of other long-forgotten heroes.

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by bacteria. The disease spreads by direct contact with secretions from the nose or throat of an infected person, or by breathing in the air when an infected person coughs. Pertussis most easily passes between people in the initial stage of illness, but it can be spread at any time during the course of the illness. Figure 1 depicts the course of pertussis from exposure to recovery.

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Figure 1

The number of reported cases of pertussis from 1974 through 2004 is depicted in Figure 2.

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Figure 2

The number of reported cases of pertussis in 2004 by age group is shown in Figure 3.

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Figure 3

1. A new vaccine for pertussis was introduced in 1991, which claimed to be more effective than the previous vaccine. Does the data in Figure 2 support this claim?

2. If a person was experiencing a cough, was medicated, and was still contagious, he or she would be in what stage of the disease?

3. What is the maximum number of weeks that pertussis can be transmitted?

4. Doctors hypothesized that because of their immature immune systems young children are the most susceptible to pertussis. Does the data from 2004, in Figure 3, support this theory?

5. Which of the following statements could be a plausible explanation for increased incidence of pertussis?

6. Which of the following statements about pertussis is NOT true?

Scientists examined several ingredients commonly used as active agents in sunscreen. The goal of the study was to determine which ingredients are most effective at blocking harmful UV rays.

Scientists used PABA, oxybenzone, octyl salicylate, and a broad-spectrum commercial sunscreen (SPF 45). The samples were exposed to sunlight with wavelengths ranging from 240 to 440 nm. The percent transmittance of UV rays at each wavelength was recorded. The data was collected manually using a spectrophotometer. The results, in 20-nm increments, are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

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Figure 1 displays the intensity of sunlight across the spectrum.

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Figure 1

In 1975, Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, MD, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School, developed a classification system for skin type. This system was based on a person's complexion and responses to sun exposure. Table 2 lists the skin types and their characteristics.

Table 2

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7. According to Table 1, which substance had the highest percent transmittance of UV rays for sunlight with a wavelength of 260 nm?

8. Based on the information in Figure 1, sunlight is most intense at which of the following wavelengths?

9. A person with fair skin tone, whose skin burns but also tans slowly, likely has which of the following skin types?

10. Experts state that anyone whose skin is sensitive or very sensitive to UVA should always wear sunscreen. According to Table 2, people with which skin types should always wear sunscreen?

11. In sunlight with an irradiance of 0.01 W/m2/nm, oxybenzone would be expected to have a UV ray percent transmittance of:

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