An imbalance of which nutrient may elicit delayed tooth eruption, enlarged tongue, stillbirths, altered craniofacial growth, sensitivity to cold, dry skin, depression, and goiter?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Iron. The provided extract mentions that iodine deficiency can cause delayed tooth eruption, enlarged tongue, stillbirths, altered craniofacial growth, sensitivity to cold, dry skin, depression, and goiter. Zinc, Sodium, and Potassium are not associated with these specific symptoms. Zinc deficiency can lead to other health issues but not the ones mentioned. Sodium and Potassium imbalances do not typically result in the symptoms described in the question.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A deficiency in iron can lead to various symptoms, such as microcytic anemia, fatigue, faulty digestion, blue sclerae, pale conjunctivae, and tachycardia. Iron-deficiency anemia may be caused by inadequate dietary intake; accelerated demand or losses; and inadequate absorption secondary to diarrhea, decreased acid secretions, or antacid therapy. Iron deficiency is frequently the result of postnatal feeding practices and has a serious impact on growth and mental and psychomotor development in infants and children. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as zinc deficiency typically presents with symptoms like impaired wound healing, taste abnormalities, and hair loss; sodium deficiency can lead to symptoms such as muscle cramps, dizziness, and confusion; and potassium deficiency may cause muscle weakness, fatigue, and abnormal heart rhythms.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure within the body equalizes the solute concentration of ICFs and ECFs by shifting small amounts of water in the direction of higher concentration solute. Semipermeable membranes separate one fluid compartment from another and do not directly equalize solute concentrations. Hydration and perspiration are important elements of fluid balance but do not directly achieve the equalization of solute concentrations between ICFs and ECFs, which is primarily regulated by osmotic pressure.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Water regulates body temperature by evaporating as perspiration from the skin, not by pooling. When sweat evaporates from the skin, it takes away heat, which helps cool the body. Choices A, B, and C are correct because water acts as a solvent for chemical reactions, maintains the stability of body fluids, and enables the transport of nutrients and excretion of waste, respectively.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Perspiration. Water loss can occur through respiration inflammation, strenuous exercise, and diarrhea. Perspiration, also known as sweating, is a mechanism by which the body regulates temperature and eliminates some waste products, but it is not a cause of water loss. The body loses water through sweating, but this loss is mainly for cooling purposes, and it is not a primary mechanism for water loss like respiration, exercise, or diarrhea.