What is the main consequence of a malfunctioning thyroid gland that produces abnormally low levels of thyroid hormones?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Decreased heart rate and body temperature. A malfunctioning thyroid gland that produces abnormally low levels of thyroid hormones leads to hypothyroidism, resulting in decreased metabolic activity. This reduction in metabolic rate can cause a decreased heart rate and lower body temperature. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because hypothyroidism typically manifests as symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, bradycardia, and decreased body temperature, rather than increased energy levels, enhanced muscle growth, faster metabolism, or heightened alertness.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A synergist is a muscle that assists the agonist, the primary muscle responsible for a specific movement, in performing that movement. Synergists stabilize joints and provide additional support to the prime mover muscle, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the movement. Choice A, Agonist, refers to the muscle primarily responsible for a specific movement. Choice B, Antagonist, refers to a muscle that opposes the action of the agonist. Choice D, Fixator, refers to a muscle that stabilizes the origin of the prime mover muscle, maintaining the desired position during movement.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Cerebrospinal fluid is the protective fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It acts as a cushion to protect these vital organs from injury and provides nutrients to the nervous system. Blood, plasma, and myelin are not the fluids specifically surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Blood is found within blood vessels, plasma is the liquid component of blood, and myelin is a fatty substance that forms a protective sheath around nerve fibers.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Action potentials, the all-or-nothing electrical signals traveling along neurons, are generated by the movement of sodium and potassium ions across the neuronal membrane. This movement creates changes in the membrane potential, leading to the propagation of the electrical signal along the neuron. Glucose is a source of energy for neurons but is not directly involved in generating action potentials. Neurotransmitters are involved in communication between neurons but do not directly generate action potentials. Myelin is a fatty substance that insulates and speeds up the conduction of action potentials but does not generate them.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The endocrine system is responsible for producing hormones that regulate various bodily functions such as growth, metabolism, mood, and more. Facilitating digestion through muscle contractions is primarily the role of the muscular and nervous systems, not the endocrine system. Therefore, option D is the correct answer as it does not align with the functions typically attributed to the endocrine system. Choices A, B, and C are functions that are indeed associated with the endocrine system, making them incorrect answers in the context of this question.