Which radioactive isotope is commonly used for dating relatively recent fossils (up to about 50,000 years old)? MCQ with Answer and Explanation

Which radioactive isotope is commonly used for dating relatively recent fossils (up to about 50,000 years old)?
A. Carbon-14
B. Rubidium-87
C. Uranium-238
D. Potassium-40
Answer: Option A
Solution (By JKSSB Mock Tests)
Carbon-14 (radiocarbon) dating is used to determine the age of organic materials up to about 50,000 to 60,000 years old. Living organisms absorb Carbon-14 from the atmosphere. When they die, absorption stops, and the Carbon-14 decays at a known rate (half-life of 5,730 years). By measuring the remaining Carbon-14, the age of the fossil can be calculated.

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Practice More Biology Questions

Question #1
Consider statements about evolution: 1. Natural selection leads to adaptation. 2. Mutations are the ultimate source of genetic variation. 3. Evolution occurs at the individual level. Which are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: Option B


Explanation:
Natural selection is the process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to adaptation of the population over time. Mutations, which are random changes in the DNA sequence, are the ultimate source of all new genetic variation upon which evolutionary forces act. Evolution is a population-level phenomenon, defined as a change in allele frequencies over generations; it does not occur within a single individual's lifetime. Thus, statements 1 and 2 are correct.

This question belongs to: Science Biology
Question #2
The enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft is:
A. Catechol-O-methyltransferase
B. Choline acetyltransferase
C. Acetylcholinesterase
D. Monoamine oxidase

Correct Answer: Option C


Explanation:
Acetylcholinesterase degrades acetylcholine into acetate and choline, terminating the synaptic signal. Choline acetyltransferase synthesizes ACh, MAO and COMT degrade monoamines.

This question belongs to: Science Biology
Question #3
The first successfully cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep, was produced using:
A. Somatic cell nuclear transfer
B. Artificial insemination
C. Gene therapy
D. Recombinant DNA technology

Correct Answer: Option A


Explanation:
Dolly (1996) was created by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), where the nucleus from an adult somatic cell (udder) was transferred into an enucleated egg cell, which was then implanted in a surrogate. This proved that differentiated somatic cells can be reprogrammed to totipotency. She was the first mammal cloned from an adult cell.

This question belongs to: Science Biology