What are Merkel cells, located in the epidermis, specialized for?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Merkel cells are specialized touch receptors located in the epidermis of the skin. Their primary function is to perceive light touch and pressure. They play a crucial role in the sensory perception of touch stimuli. Option A, melanin production, is incorrect because Merkel cells are not involved in producing melanin. Option B, temperature sensation, is incorrect as Merkel cells are not specialized for sensing temperature. Option D, immune defense, is also incorrect as Merkel cells do not have a role in immune defense mechanisms.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When a ball is thrown horizontally, its horizontal velocity remains constant throughout its motion. The horizontal distance traveled by the ball is determined by the horizontal velocity and the time taken to hit the ground. In this case, the horizontal distance is calculated as distance = velocity time. Since the horizontal velocity is 10 m/s, the horizontal distance traveled by the ball is 10 m/s time. The time taken to hit the ground is determined by the vertical motion, which is independent of the horizontal velocity. Therefore, without knowing the height of the cliff, we can still determine the horizontal distance traveled by the ball. The horizontal distance is solely dependent on the horizontal velocity and the time of flight, which are not influenced by the height of the cliff. Hence, the correct answer is 30 m. Choice A, 10 m, is incorrect as it does not consider the time of flight. Choice B, 20 m, is incorrect as it does not account for the constant horizontal velocity. Choice D, 'Cannot be determined without knowing the height of the cliff,' is incorrect because the horizontal distance can be calculated independently of the height of the cliff.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: As a water wave approaches a shallow beach, the speed of the wave decreases due to the change in medium from deep to shallow water. According to the wave equation (speed = frequency x wavelength), if the speed decreases and the frequency remains the same, the wavelength must also decrease to maintain the equation balanced. This phenomenon occurs due to the wavefronts being slowed down by the shallower water, causing the wavelength to decrease while the frequency remains constant. Choice A is incorrect as the speed of the wave decreases in shallow water. Choice C is incorrect because the speed increases in deep water, not in shallow water. Choice D is incorrect as all the wave characteristics change when moving from deep to shallow water.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A convex lens focuses parallel light rays to a single point by causing them to converge. This lens is thicker in the center than at the edges, which helps in converging the light rays. Convex lenses are commonly used for tasks like magnification and focusing due to their ability to bring distant light rays to a single focal point. Choice A, the concave lens, diverges light rays rather than converging them, making it incorrect. Choice C, the cylindrical lens, is designed to focus light along one axis rather than converging parallel light rays to a single point. Choice D, the plano lens, has no curvatures to bend or focus light rays, so it does not converge parallel light rays.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Becquerel (Bq). The Becquerel (Bq) is the scientific unit used to measure the radioactivity of a substance. It is named after Henri Becquerel, who discovered radioactivity. The Joule (J) is the unit of energy, Newton (N) is the unit of force, and Kelvin (K) is the unit of temperature. When measuring radioactivity, the Becquerel is used to quantify the rate of radioactive decay in a substance. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they represent units for energy, force, and temperature, respectively, not radioactivity.