What are Merkel cells, located in the epidermis, specialized for?
- A. Melanin production
- B. Temperature sensation
- C. Touch perception
- D. Immune defense
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Merkel cells are specialized touch receptors located in the epidermis of the skin. Their primary function is to perceive light touch and pressure. They play a crucial role in the sensory perception of touch stimuli. Option A, melanin production, is incorrect because Merkel cells are not involved in producing melanin. Option B, temperature sensation, is incorrect as Merkel cells are not specialized for sensing temperature. Option D, immune defense, is also incorrect as Merkel cells do not have a role in immune defense mechanisms.
You may also like to solve these questions
What is the main function of calcitonin, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland?
- A. Stimulate metabolism and heat production
- B. Increase calcium absorption from the intestines
- C. Enhance bone growth and development
- D. Lower blood calcium levels
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Calcitonin is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that primarily functions to lower blood calcium levels. It achieves this by inhibiting bone breakdown and promoting calcium excretion by the kidneys. Therefore, the correct answer is D as it reflects the main role of calcitonin in calcium homeostasis. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not align with the primary function of calcitonin. Calcitonin does not stimulate metabolism and heat production (Choice A), increase calcium absorption from the intestines (Choice B), or enhance bone growth and development (Choice C).
Which of the following is NOT true about fossils?
- A. They can provide evidence for the order of appearance of different species
- B. They can be used to estimate the age of rocks and layers
- C. They can tell us about the behavior of extinct organisms
- D. They are always perfectly preserved
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A) This statement is true. Fossils can provide evidence for the order of appearance of different species through the study of the fossil record.
B) This statement is true. Fossils can be used to estimate the age of rocks and layers through relative dating methods such as stratigraphy and absolute dating methods like radiometric dating.
C) This statement is true. Fossils can provide information about the behavior of extinct organisms through the study of their preserved remains and traces.
D) This statement is NOT true. Fossils are not always perfectly preserved. In many cases, fossils are incomplete, fragmented, or altered over time due to geological processes. The level of preservation can vary depending on factors such as the type of organism, the environment in which it lived, and the processes involved in fossilization.
What is the scientific term for the involuntary rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle?
- A. Peristalsis
- B. Myogenesis
- C. Myocardial contractility
- D. Systole and diastole
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Systole and diastole. Systole and diastole are the two phases of the cardiac cycle where the heart muscle contracts (systole) and relaxes (diastole) rhythmically to pump blood throughout the body. This rhythmic process ensures proper blood circulation by pumping blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. Peristalsis, on the other hand, refers to the involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, aiding in the movement of food and waste. Myogenesis is the process of muscle tissue formation, and myocardial contractility pertains to the heart muscle's ability to contract efficiently.
What is the muscular sac in the female body that nourishes and protects a developing fetus during pregnancy?
- A. Ovary
- B. Fallopian tube
- C. Uterus
- D. Vagina
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is the uterus. The uterus is a muscular organ in the female body where a developing fetus is nourished and protected during pregnancy. It is the site where a fertilized egg implants and grows into a fetus. The ovaries produce eggs, the fallopian tubes transport the egg to the uterus for potential fertilization, and the vagina serves as the birth canal and the passage for menstrual blood to exit the body. Therefore, the uterus plays a crucial role in pregnancy by providing a nurturing environment for the developing fetus.
As a water wave approaches a shallow beach, what happens to its speed, wavelength, and frequency?
- A. Speed increases, wavelength decreases, frequency increases.
- B. Speed decreases, wavelength decreases, frequency remains the same.
- C. Speed increases, wavelength increases, frequency decreases.
- D. Speed, wavelength, and frequency remain the same.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: As a water wave approaches a shallow beach, the speed of the wave decreases due to the change in medium from deep to shallow water. According to the wave equation (speed = frequency x wavelength), if the speed decreases and the frequency remains the same, the wavelength must also decrease to maintain the equation balanced. This phenomenon occurs due to the wavefronts being slowed down by the shallower water, causing the wavelength to decrease while the frequency remains constant. Choice A is incorrect as the speed of the wave decreases in shallow water. Choice C is incorrect because the speed increases in deep water, not in shallow water. Choice D is incorrect as all the wave characteristics change when moving from deep to shallow water.