Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. What is its primary function?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Melatonin is primarily known for its role in controlling sleep-wake cycles. It is produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness, helping signal the body that it is time to sleep. Melatonin levels typically rise in the evening and stay elevated throughout the night, promoting sleep. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as melatonin's primary function is not to regulate blood pressure, stimulate the digestive system, or maintain bone density. While melatonin may have some indirect effects on these functions, its main role lies in regulating the circadian rhythm and promoting a restful sleep cycle.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Myosin is the protein complex responsible for the thick filament in the sarcomere. It interacts with actin, another protein in the sarcomere, to generate the sliding movement that results in muscle contraction. Actin is a thin filament protein that interacts with myosin to create the sliding filament mechanism. Tropomyosin and troponin are regulatory proteins that regulate muscle contraction by controlling the interaction between actin and myosin, rather than directly being responsible for the thick filament.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is an Electroencephalogram (EEG). An EEG is specifically designed to record the measurable electrical activity of the brain. It does so by using small, flat metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp to detect brain activity. This test is crucial in diagnosing various conditions like seizures, epilepsy, head injuries, dizziness, headaches, and brain tumors. The other options, CAT scan, MRI scan, and X-ray, are imaging techniques that do not directly measure the brain's electrical activity. CAT scan and MRI scan provide detailed images of the brain's structure, while X-ray is more suited for visualizing bone structures or dense tissues.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The gland located on top of the kidneys responsible for regulating blood pressure and electrolyte balance is the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland produces hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone, which play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and electrolyte balance in the body. The other choices, thyroid gland (choice A), pituitary gland (choice B), and parathyroid gland (choice D), do not have a primary role in regulating blood pressure and electrolyte balance. The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating metabolism, the pituitary gland controls various endocrine functions, and the parathyroid gland regulates calcium levels in the body.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Blood pressure is the term for the pressure exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and consists of two numbers: systolic pressure (the top number) and diastolic pressure (the bottom number). Heart rate (A) is the number of times the heart beats per minute, cardiac output (C) is the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, and stroke volume (D) is the volume of blood pumped by the heart in one contraction. Understanding blood pressure is crucial in assessing cardiovascular health and the risk of various conditions like hypertension.