Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The majority of nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine. The small intestine is where the final stages of digestion take place, and it is specialized for absorption with its large surface area and villi that increase nutrient absorption efficiency. The mouth is responsible for mechanical digestion through chewing, the stomach primarily aids in digestion through mixing and breakdown of food, and the large intestine mainly absorbs water and electrolytes, with minimal nutrient absorption.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is Covalent (
C). In DNA, a covalent bond connects sugar and phosphate molecules. This bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between the atoms, providing stability to the DNA structure. Hydrogen bonds are important in DNA structure but are not the primary bond connecting sugar and phosphate. Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons, and 'overt' is not a term related to the bond connecting sugar and phosphate in DNA.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: All options are valid explanations for the decrease in maternal mortality during childbirth in modern times. Improved medical knowledge and technology have enabled doctors to perform cesarean sections more effectively, monitor mothers more closely for early detection of complications, and maintain better hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infections.
Therefore, all the given statements collectively contribute to the reduction in maternal mortality rates in the 21st century.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: T cells are a specialized type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune response. They are produced in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus gland. T cells help coordinate and regulate the immune response to pathogens and foreign substances by interacting with other immune cells.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. T cells are not exclusively seen in individuals with leukemia; they are a normal component of the immune system found in healthy individuals. While it is true that T cells are a specialized type of white blood cell, the key characteristic being tested in this question is their role in the immune response. Lastly, T cells do mature in the thymus, but this alone does not encompass the full scope of their function in the immune system.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and is avascular, meaning it does not contain blood vessels. It receives nutrients through diffusion from the underlying dermis. The hypodermis is the subcutaneous tissue beneath the dermis and contains blood vessels. The dermis is the layer of skin between the epidermis and hypodermis, which contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat glands. 'Hyperdermis' is not a correct anatomical term and is not a layer of the skin, making it an incorrect choice for this question.