A fatal infectious disease known as: 'Mad cow disease' is medically known as:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as 'mad cow disease' or Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by abnormal prion proteins. These proteins induce the misfolding of normal cellular proteins in the brain, leading to brain damage and the characteristic spongy appearance of brain tissue. The disease is transmissible and has no known cure, making it a significant public health concern.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes all the nerves outside the central nervous system, such as spinal nerves and cranial nerves. It connects the CNS to the limbs, organs, and skin, allowing for the transmission of sensory and motor signals. The PNS is divided into the somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary movements, and the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A neuron consists of three basic parts: the cell body, dendrites, and axon. The axon is a long, slender projection that transmits nerve impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or target cells. Myelin is a protective sheath around some axons, the pons is a part of the brainstem, and the dura mater is a meningeal layer. Therefore, axon is the correct answer as it is one of the fundamental components of a neuron.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Neurotransmitters are chemical substances released at axonal endings to propagate nervous impulses across synapses. Ions and the sodium-potassium pump are involved in generating action potentials, while nerve glue and action potentials are not substances released at axonal endings. Thus, C is the correct answer.