Melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, is produced by

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Melanocytes are the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that determines skin color. Melanin gives skin its color and protects it from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Keratinocytes produce keratin, a tough protein that forms the outer layer of the skin, hair, and nails. Sebocytes produce sebum, an oily substance that helps moisturize and protect the skin. Langerhans cells are a type of immune cell found in the skin that play a role in protecting against infections and foreign substances but do not produce melanin.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Ligaments are the tough, fibrous tissue that connects bones at joints, providing stability and support to prevent excessive movement and potential injury. Cartilage is a smooth, rubbery connective tissue that covers bone ends at joints. Tendons connect muscles to bones, enabling movement. Fascia surrounds muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, providing support and structure to these tissues. In this context, ligaments are specifically the connective tissues that bind bones together at joints, not cartilage, tendons, or fascia.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The vertebral column, also known as the spine, is the curved bone in the back that provides support and attachment for muscles. It consists of individual vertebrae stacked on top of each other, forming a flexible and protective structure for the spinal cord. The sternum, scapula, and clavicle are bones in the chest and shoulder regions, not in the back where the vertebral column is located. Therefore, the correct answer is the vertebral column (Option D). Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they are bones situated in the chest and shoulder areas, not in the back where the vertebral column is found.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Muscle contraction is the correct answer. It is the process by which muscles convert chemical energy (ATP) into mechanical energy (movement). During muscle contraction, the sliding filament theory explains how actin and myosin filaments slide past each other, causing muscle fibers to shorten and generate force. Photosynthesis (option A) is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Cellular respiration (option B) is the process by which cells generate ATP from glucose and oxygen. The sliding filament theory (option D) is a detailed explanation of the molecular events that occur during muscle contraction but is not the overall process of converting energy into movement; it focuses on the mechanism within the process of muscle contraction.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Sensory neurons are responsible for carrying signals from sensory receptors towards the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), allowing the brain to receive information about the external environment. On the other hand, motor neurons carry signals away from the central nervous system to muscles and glands, enabling the brain to control voluntary and involuntary movements. Choice B is incorrect because sensory neurons do not control muscles, and motor neurons control both voluntary and involuntary muscles. Choice C is incorrect as sensory neurons are located in the peripheral nervous system, while motor neurons are located in the central nervous system. Choice D is incorrect because sensory neurons detect various stimuli such as touch, taste, smell, and sound, while motor neurons are not involved in detecting sensory stimuli.