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How tall is Mount Whitney?

Because it is the tallest point in the continental U.S., Mount Whitney attracts a large amount of hikers. This has caused the National Park Service to implement a permit system for climbing the mountain.\nThe most direct route to Mount Whitney is a 10.7-mile (17.1 km) trail from Whitney Portal, which is 13 miles (21 km) west of Lone Pine, a town east of the Sierra range.

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Are birds reptiles?

In phylogenetics, all animals, including birds, mammals and dinosaurs, that have genetic connections to early reptiles are reptiles. Birds are traced back to the group of feathered dinosaurs that did not die off during the massive dinosaur extinction 65 million years ago. Over time, these dinosaurs evolved into birds. However, in an 18th century classification scheme, the Linnaean system, organisms are grouped together based on common traits. Since reptiles are cold-blooded and have scales, birds do not fall into this category following the Linnaean system.

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What is the importance of epiphyseal plate?

Once a child is born, his bones must grow longer and wider for him to grow bigger and taller. To accomplish this, the bones in the human body contain epiphyseal plates. These portions of the bones are where new cells, known as chondrocytes, congregate and produce a form of cartilage called hyaline. This cartilage becomes calcified over time and forms into new bone tissue. As people age, their epiphyseal plates also become calcified so the bones stop growing.

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How strong is the gravitational pull of the planet Mars?

With a gravitational constant of 0.38, a 100-pound person on Earth weighs 38 pounds on Mars. This low gravity causes volcanic lava to be thicker on Mars and prevents volcanoes from cooling off at the same rate as volcanoes on Earth, elaborates Dr. Ryan Anderson of the U.S. Geographical Survey. The lava flow also is longer, especially with the natural valleys on the planet. Gas within the lava and other elements are more likely to explode.

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How big is the universe?

Shape and expansion determine the size of the universe. A finite universe should be spherically-shaped, causing an eventual collapse by a critical amount of density and gravity. The universe, however, is constantly expanding at an accelerated rate, implying a force stronger than gravity. As of 2013, NASA has proven that the universe is flat. This discovery denotes a universe that is infinite in size. Due to the finite age of the universe, however, astronomers can only see the observable universe.

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Is toothpaste an acid or base?

The average pH level of nine toothpastes tested was 6.83 (slightly acidic). They had a range of pH levels, from 4.22 (acidic) to 8.35 (slightly alkaline or basic). Seven of these measured within one point of neutral (a level of seven).\nToothpastes containing fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate, sugar and harsh abrasives are more acidic than those without these ingredients. Xylitol, in particular, has been proven to greatly decrease acid levels in toothpaste. Other ingredients that increase a toothpaste's alkalinity include baking soda, tetrasodium pyrophosphate and sodium carbonate peroxide.

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Can your feet shrink?

Fat is stored energy and burned off as the body needs it; most commonly during exercise. Since fat is stored throughout the entire body, significant weight loss brings about the same reduction in the feet as those noticeable in the arms, legs, face and neck.\nAs the feet become smaller in size, foot strength may also decrease. Those that do undergo a shrinkage in foot size are encouraged to incorporate foot exercises to boost the overall health of the feet, cite Healthy Living experts at azcentral.com.

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What are general characteristics of the phylum Mollusca?

The phylum mollusca is divided into seven classes, including bivalvia: aplacophora, polyplacophora, monoplacophora, gastropoda, cephalopoda and scaphopoda. Molluscs in several classes have a characteristic, distinct head and foot region, though this is not true of all mollusc classes, including cephalopoda, in which the 'foot' has been evolutionarily modified into arms such as can be seen in octopi and squid. Members of this phylum range from the microscopic members of the class aplacophora to the massive giant squid, a member of class cephalopoda. Many members of different classes w..

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What role do carrier proteins play in facilitated diffusion?

Carrier proteins are very important molecules embedded in the membranes of cells. There are many types of molecules and ions, including large, polar or charged molecules, that cannot pass through the cell membrane. In facilitated diffusion, these particles are in a lower concentration at their intended destination than they are on their original side of the membrane, and so move spontaneously through the carrier proteins.\nCarrier proteins are also used in active transport where particles are traveling to an area of higher concentration. In these cases, the carrier proteins require energy to m..

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What is the function of proteins in living organisms?

The word protein comes from the Greek word proteios which means "holding first place." The very name indicates their importance to life. They help to build bones and muscles and regulate every function in the body. They also help to fight illnesses. Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids and come in various shapes. Some proteins are structural, helping to hold the body together. These are the largest proteins. Keratin, myosin, actin and collagen are examples of structural proteins. Keratin comprises skin, hair and nails in humans and fur, feathers, scales and horns in animals. Actin and..

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