What are the microscopic units responsible for muscle contraction called?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Sarcomeres are the fundamental contractile units of skeletal muscles and are responsible for muscle contraction. They consist of actin and myosin filaments that slide past each other during muscle contraction. Neurons are responsible for transmitting signals to and from muscles but are not directly involved in muscle contraction. Myofibrils are composed of sarcomeres and are the structures within muscle cells where muscle contractions take place. Tendons are connective tissues that attach muscles to bones and are not directly involved in muscle contraction.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Potassium is the correct answer as it is essential for muscle function and nerve transmission. Potassium plays a crucial role in regulating muscle contractions, including the heart's beating, and is vital for transmitting electrical signals within the nervous system. Calcium (Choice A) is important for muscle contraction but is not the primary mineral for nerve transmission. Iron (Choice B) is important for oxygen transport in the blood. Sodium (Choice C) is important for fluid balance but is not primarily responsible for muscle function and nerve transmission.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A concentrated solution of a strong electrolyte is most likely to conduct electricity well. Strong electrolytes completely dissociate into ions in solution, allowing for the flow of electric current. This high concentration of ions in the solution enhances its conductivity, making it a better conductor compared to other options. A saturated solution, although containing dissolved ions, may not have a high enough concentration to conduct electricity effectively. A dilute solution of a weak acid is a poor conductor as weak acids only partially dissociate into ions. A mixture of a neutral compound and water does not contain free ions necessary for conducting electricity.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Sarcomeres are the fundamental contractile units of skeletal muscles and are responsible for muscle contraction. They consist of actin and myosin filaments that slide past each other during muscle contraction. Neurons are responsible for transmitting signals to and from muscles but are not directly involved in muscle contraction. Myofibrils are composed of sarcomeres and are the structures within muscle cells where muscle contractions take place. Tendons are connective tissues that attach muscles to bones and are not directly involved in muscle contraction.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A) The centromere provides a binding site for spindle fibers, which are microtubules that help move chromosomes during cell division. This attachment allows the chromosomes to be pulled towards opposite poles of the cell during mitosis. Therefore, the structure of centromeres directly contributes to chromosome movement during mitosis by facilitating the attachment and manipulation of chromosomes by the spindle fibers. B) While the centromere does serve as a dividing point between sister chromatids, ensuring their separation during anaphase, this function is more related to the segregation of chromosomes rather than their movement. C) The centromere does play a role in maintaining chromosome stability by ensuring proper chromosome segregation, but it is not primarily responsible for preventing chromosomal breaks and rearrangements. D) The centromere is not directly involved in DNA replication. Its main function is

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Stretch marks occur when the dermis layer tears due to rapid stretching of the skin. This tearing leads to the appearance of stretch marks, which are often red or purple at first and then fade to a silvery-white color over time. Inflammation of the dermis or clogging of sebaceous glands are not directly related to the formation of stretch marks. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not describe the actual cause of stretch marks.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Dietary fiber refers to the indigestible portion of plant foods that passes relatively intact through the digestive system. While fiber does not directly provide energy to the body, it plays a crucial role in promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. These bacteria help in the fermentation of fiber, producing short-chain fatty acids that can be used as an energy source by the body. Additionally, fiber aids in regulating bowel movements, maintaining gut health, and supporting overall digestive function. The functions described in the incorrect choices do not align with the primary role of dietary fiber in the digestive system. Choice A is incorrect because fiber itself is not a direct energy source. Choice B is incorrect as fiber does not break down fats. Choice D is incorrect because while fiber affects nutrient absorption indirectly by supporting gut health, its primary role is not to aid in the absorption of nutrients.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Oxidation is the process where a substance loses electrons. In an oxidation reaction, the substance being oxidized loses electrons, which are gained by another substance. Reduction is the opposite process, where a substance gains electrons. Neutralization is a reaction between an acid and a base to form a salt and water. Precipitation is the formation of a solid from a solution. Therefore, in the context of a chemical reaction involving the loss of electrons, the correct term is oxidation (Choice B).

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Cytokinesis is the process of dividing the cytoplasm of a cell into two daughter cells after the nucleus has divided during mitosis. In the cell cycle, cytokinesis typically occurs at the end of the mitotic phase, following the separation of the duplicated chromosomes into two identical sets in the daughter nuclei. Interphase (option A) is the phase where the cell grows, carries out its normal functions, and prepares for cell division, but cytokinesis does not occur during this phase. Meiosis (option C) is a specialized type of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms to produce gametes, and cytokinesis occurs at the end of meiosis II, not meiosis I. G2 phase (option D) is the phase of the cell cycle following DNA replication in S phase and preceding mitosis, where the cell prepares for cell division, but cytokinesis occurs during mitosis, not in the G2 phase.