Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, 'Type of road salt used.' In an experiment, the independent variable is the one manipulated by the researcher to observe its impact on the dependent variable. In this study, the researchers are altering the type of road salt used to determine its influence on the deicing speed, thus making it the independent variable. The other choices are not the independent variable as they are not deliberately manipulated in the experiment: A - 'Deicing time period' is an outcome measure dependent on the type of salt used; B - 'Road used for deicing' is not controlled or manipulated; D - 'Amount of road salt used' would be a potential confounding variable rather than the independent variable as it could affect the outcome along with the type of salt.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cytoplasm. Pyruvate is a product of glycolysis, a metabolic pathway that takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell. Therefore, a biochemist isolating a large amount of pyruvate would be working with the cytoplasm of the cell. Choice A, Chloroplasts, is incorrect because pyruvate is not produced in chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis. Choice C, Mitochondria, is incorrect as pyruvate is produced in the cytoplasm before entering the mitochondria for further metabolism. Choice D, Nucleus, is incorrect as the nucleus is not involved in the production or isolation of pyruvate, which is a metabolic intermediate.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Melanocyte-stimulating. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) stimulates melanocytes in the skin to produce more melanin, leading to darker skin pigmentation. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates follicle growth in the reproductive system, Growth-stimulating hormone is a vague term not specific to any known hormone, and Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, not affecting skin color pigmentation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A chromosome is a rod-shaped structure that forms when a single DNA molecule and its associated proteins coil tightly before cell division. It contains the genetic material and is essential for cell division and replication. The centromere is a specific region of a chromosome that plays a role in cell division. A chromatid is one half of a duplicated chromosome, and a gene is a unit of heredity responsible for specific traits. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Chromosome' as it represents the entire condensed DNA molecule during cell division.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Flagellum. Cells rely on flagella for movement, which are whip-like structures that propel the cell forward through their whipping motion. Flagella provide motility to single-celled organisms and certain cells in multicellular organisms. Microtubules, on the other hand, provide structural support to the cell and play a role in intracellular transport. Pili are short, hair-like structures used for attachment to surfaces or other cells, not for movement. Vesicles are membrane-bound sacs involved in intracellular transport, aiding in the movement of substances within the cell, but not in the movement of the cell itself.