OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

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Study for the OCR GCSE Biology Exam. Use multiple choice questions and quiz flashcards with explanations and hints. Excel in your exams!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What is the primary function of keratin in the body?

  1. Regulating metabolic activity

  2. Protective layer creation

  3. Energy storage

  4. Facilitating gene expression

The correct answer is: Protective layer creation

The primary function of keratin in the body is to serve as a protective layer creation. Keratin is a fibrous protein that is a key structural component of the skin, hair, and nails. It provides strength and resilience, helping to form barriers against environmental damage, pathogens, and physical abrasion. This protective role is crucial for maintaining the integrity of various tissues, especially the outermost layer of the skin, which acts as a first line of defense against external threats. The other functions described in the other choices do not accurately represent the role of keratin. While metabolic activity regulation, energy storage, and gene expression are essential biological processes, they are not associated with keratin’s primary purpose. Instead, they involve different types of proteins and biological mechanisms that contribute to cell function, energy management, and the regulation of genes within the body.