Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Arteries. Arteries are the large blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to various parts of the body. They have thick, muscular walls to withstand the high pressure generated by the heart's pumping action. Choice B, Arterioles, are smaller branches of arteries that further divide into capillaries. Choice C, Veins, carry blood back to the heart and have thinner walls compared to arteries. Choice D, Venules, are smaller veins that collect blood from capillaries and merge into larger veins.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the Pancreas. The pancreas is an organ that produces digestive enzymes to aid in the breakdown of food in the small intestine. These enzymes play a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food we eat. The liver is responsible for producing bile, not digestive enzymes. The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver, which aids in the digestion of fats. The esophagus is a muscular tube that helps in the movement of food from the mouth to the stomach and does not produce digestive enzymes.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Ligaments are the correct answer. Ligaments connect bones to other bones, providing stability in joints. Tendons, on the other hand, connect muscles to bones, allowing movement. Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that cushions joints and helps with smooth movements. Muscle tissue is responsible for generating force and movement in the body, not for connecting bones to each other.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The independent variable is the factor that is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effects on the dependent variable. In this experiment, the researcher is likely changing the type of dog food, and this manipulation is what impacts the outcome being measured. Therefore, 'Dog food type' is the independent variable. Choices A, B, and C do not represent the variable being intentionally changed by the researcher, making them dependent variables or other factors not directly controlled or manipulated in this experiment.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B (6 protons). The electron configuration provided corresponds to the element carbon, which has 6 protons. The mass number does not affect the number of protons in an atom, so despite the mass number of 14, the atom still contains 6 protons. Choice A (14) is incorrect because the mass number does not determine the number of protons. Choices C (8) and D (12) are incorrect as they do not match the number of protons in a carbon atom.