What Happens to the Atomic Number (Z) and the Mass

question 35

Multiple Choice

What happens to the atomic number (Z) and the mass number (A) when a nucleus emits an alpha particle?

• A) Z increases by 1; A is unchanged.
• B) Z is unchanged; A is unchanged.
• C) Z decreases by 2; A decreases by 4.
• D) Z decreases by 1; A is unchanged.

---

Definitions:

Polyphenism

A trait for which multiple, discrete phenotypes can arise from a single genotype, depending on environmental circumstances.

Environmental Cue

A signal from the environment that triggers a physiological or behavioral response in an organism.

Deleterious Version

Refers to a harmful version of a gene or allele that can negatively affect the fitness or survival of an organism.

Mobile Genetic Elements

Segments of DNA that can move or copy themselves from one location to another within a genome.