The number of protons in an atom is determined by its:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The number of protons in an atom is determined by its atomic number. The atomic number represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which also determines the element's identity. Therefore, the correct answer is (D) Atomic number. Choices (A) Atomic mass, (B) Electron configuration, and (C) Chemical properties are not directly related to the number of protons in an atom. Atomic mass is the total mass of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom. Electron configuration refers to the arrangement of electrons in an atom's energy levels, and chemical properties are determined by the arrangement of electrons in the outermost energy level.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is characterized by voluntary control, meaning it is under conscious control. It is responsible for body movement, such as walking, running, and lifting objects. Cardiac muscle is involuntary and found in the heart, while smooth muscle is also involuntary and found in organs like the intestines. Connective tissue is not a type of muscle but rather a type of tissue that provides support and structure in the body.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The endomysium is the connective tissue layer that surrounds individual muscle fibers, providing support and aiding in the transmission of force generated during muscle contraction. It is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of muscle fibers and facilitating the transmission of force within them. Tendons (option A) connect muscles to bones, perimysium (option C) surrounds bundles of muscle fibers known as fascicles, and epimysium (option D) encases the entire muscle. The endomysium specifically targets the structure that directly supports and aids in force transmission within individual muscle fibers, making it the correct answer in this context.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The autonomic nervous system is correctly identified as the division responsible for the 'fight or flight' response, which readies the body to react to stressful situations. This system regulates involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate, pupil dilation, and adrenaline release during stress. The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements and skeletal muscle activity, not the automatic responses seen in the 'fight or flight' reaction. The peripheral nervous system connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and limbs, facilitating communication, while the central nervous system, comprising the brain and spinal cord, serves as the primary control center of the body, integrating and processing information.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Calcitonin is the hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates calcium levels in the blood. It enhances calcium absorption in the intestines and reduces calcium loss in the kidneys. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) operates oppositely to calcitonin by increasing calcium levels in the blood. Thyroxine is a thyroid gland hormone that primarily regulates metabolism, not calcium levels. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, is responsible for controlling blood sugar levels, not calcium levels. Therefore, the correct answer is Calcitonin as it specifically targets calcium regulation in the body.