Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Signal transduction is the correct answer. It is the process by which cells respond to external stimuli like chemicals, temperature, or touch. When a cell receives a signal from its environment, it triggers a series of molecular events leading to a specific cellular response. This process involves transmitting signals from the cell surface to the interior, triggering various cellular activities. Homeostasis, on the other hand, refers to an organism's ability to maintain internal stability in response to external changes. Adaptation involves an organism adjusting to its environment over time through genetic changes or behavioral modifications, which is distinct from the process of cells responding to immediate external stimuli. Metabolism, although essential for cellular functions, is not specifically about cells responding to external stimuli but rather the biochemical processes involved in energy production, storage, and utilization within cells.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: - The founder effect is a specific type of genetic drift that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to a loss of genetic variation. - Genetic drift, on the other hand, is a broader concept that refers to random changes in allele frequencies in a population over time due to chance events. - Therefore, the founder effect is a specific scenario within the broader concept of genetic drift, where the establishment of a new population by a small number of individuals leads to genetic changes in the population.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When there is no external force acting upon an object, the law of conservation of momentum dictates that the momentum of the object remains constant. This means that the momentum does not increase or decrease; it stays the same. Choice A is incorrect because momentum does not increase. Choice B is incorrect because momentum does not decrease. Choice D is incorrect as momentum does not become zero; it remains constant as per the conservation law. Therefore, the correct answer is C, as the object's momentum is unchanged in the absence of external forces.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Proteolysis is the specific process of breaking down proteins into amino acids. Lipolysis refers to the breakdown of fats into fatty acids and glycerol, not proteins. Carbohydrate catabolism involves the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose for energy production, not proteins. Nucleic acid catabolism is the breakdown of nucleic acids into nucleotides, not proteins. Therefore, in the context of breaking down proteins into amino acids, the correct term is proteolysis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The larynx, housing the epiglottis, a flap of tissue, is the structure responsible for preventing food and liquids from entering the trachea during swallowing. It acts as a protective barrier, covering the trachea to ensure that ingested substances are directed to the esophagus. The bronchi are the primary airway passages that branch from the trachea into the lungs. Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs, facilitating the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The pharynx is the passage connecting the mouth and nasal cavity to the esophagus and trachea.