Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A sensory pathway generally consists of three neurons: a first-order neuron, a second-order neuron, and a third-order neuron. The first-order neuron carries sensory information from the periphery to the spinal cord or brainstem. The second-order neuron then transmits this information to the thalamus or cerebellum. Finally, the third-order neuron projects the sensory input to the cerebral cortex for processing and perception. Therefore, the correct answer is 3 (C). Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the typical structure of a sensory pathway involving three neurons.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Merkel's discs. Merkel's discs are touch receptors that respond to light touch and slower vibrations, making them ideal for detecting subtle tactile stimuli. Pacinian corpuscles are specialized in detecting deep pressure and high-frequency vibrations, not light touch or slower vibrations. Meissner's corpuscles, on the other hand, are sensitive to light touch and low-frequency vibrations, but they do not specifically respond to slower vibrations. Ruffini endings are responsible for detecting skin stretch and continuous touch pressure, differentiating them from Merkel's discs, which are specifically attuned to light touch and slower vibrations.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Oxygen. Small, non-polar molecules like oxygen can easily pass through the cell membrane by passive transport as they move down their concentration gradient without the need for energy input. Complex sugars (choice A) are typically too large to pass through the membrane by passive transport. Non-lipid soluble molecules (choice B) may require active transport mechanisms. Choice D describes active transport, where molecules move against their concentration gradient, requiring energy input.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The initial event in a primary immune response is the phagocytosis of pathogens by macrophages and the subsequent presentation of their antigens, which is crucial for initiating the adaptive immune response. Neutrophils (Choice B) are also involved in the innate immune response, but they typically respond after macrophages. B lymphocytes (Choice C) produce antibodies later in the adaptive immune response, and Helper T cells (Choice D) help in coordinating the immune response but are not the first cells to act in a primary immune response.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A DNA mutation is the correct term used to describe an alteration in the normal gene sequence. It refers to changes in the DNA sequence that can result in different traits or characteristics. Gene migration involves the movement of genes between populations, polygenic inheritance refers to the inheritance of traits controlled by multiple genes, and incomplete dominance is a pattern of inheritance where neither allele is dominant.