Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Light travels at its highest speed in a vacuum. However, among the options provided, air is the closest medium to a vacuum, making it the correct answer. In general, light travels slower in denser mediums due to interactions with atoms and molecules in the medium. Water, glass, and diamond are denser mediums compared to air, causing light to propagate at slower speeds in these materials, hence making them incorrect choices.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Adrenal gland. The hormone responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response in stressful situations is produced by the adrenal gland. This hormone is called adrenaline (epinephrine) and is released in response to stress, preparing the body to either fight the stressor or flee from it. The other choices are incorrect because the thyroid gland primarily produces hormones that regulate metabolism, the pituitary gland produces various hormones that control other endocrine glands, and the pancreas produces insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Adipose tissue serves multiple functions in the body, including insulation to regulate body temperature, energy storage in the form of triglycerides, and hormone production such as leptin and adiponectin. Adipose tissue does not directly participate in muscle movement. Muscle movement is primarily carried out by skeletal muscle tissue, which is responsible for voluntary movements and locomotion. Therefore, the correct answer is D, as adipose tissue is not involved in muscle movement.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Weight is the property of matter that refers to the force of gravity acting on an object. Mass is the amount of matter in an object, not affected by gravity. Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance, not directly related to gravity. Volume is the amount of space that an object occupies, not a measure of gravity's force.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Muscle soreness after exercise is often caused by microscopic tears in muscle fibers, leading to Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). Atrophy refers to the wasting away of muscle tissue, hypertrophy is the increase in muscle size, and spasm is an involuntary contraction of a muscle. DOMS typically occurs 24 to 72 hours after intense exercise and is characterized by muscle stiffness, tenderness, and reduced range of motion. It is a normal response to unfamiliar or strenuous physical activity and indicates that the muscles are adapting to the workload. Therefore, the correct answer is C (DOMS) as it specifically describes the phenomenon of muscle soreness resulting from microscopic tears in muscle fibers, distinguishing it from the other choices which refer to different physiological processes or conditions.