What is the purpose of the periosteum, the tough outer layer of bone?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The periosteum, the tough outer layer of bone, serves the purpose of providing protection to the bone and nourishing it through the blood vessels it contains. It acts as a protective layer for the bone structures. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the periosteum does not produce red blood cells (which is the function of bone marrow), form joint surfaces (which is typically the role of articular cartilage), or store minerals (which is primarily done by bone tissue itself and not the periosteum).

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The myelin sheath is a fatty substance that insulates some nerve fibers. It is made up of specialized cells that wrap around the axons of neurons, providing insulation and speeding up the transmission of nerve impulses. Choice A is incorrect as the myelin sheath is not a group of nerve cells but rather a substance that surrounds nerve fibers. Choice C is incorrect as the myelin sheath is not a fluid-filled cavity within the brain. Choice D is incorrect as the myelin sheath is not the junction between two neurons.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Estrogen is the hormone responsible for the characteristic changes experienced during puberty in females, such as breast development and menstruation. Estrogen plays a crucial role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the regulation of the menstrual cycle. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are primarily involved in the regulation of the menstrual cycle and ovulation. Progesterone, on the other hand, is important for preparing the uterus for pregnancy and maintaining pregnancy, but it is not the primary hormone responsible for the changes seen during puberty in females.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is attached to bones and allows for voluntary movement, such as walking, running, and lifting objects. Smooth muscle, found in the walls of internal organs and blood vessels, is responsible for involuntary movements. Cardiac muscle is specific to the heart and controls involuntary contraction. Connective tissue, on the other hand, provides support and connects different structures in the body, but it is not responsible for voluntary movement like skeletal muscle.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Aerobic respiration is the process by which cells use oxygen to convert glucose into energy. This process occurs in the mitochondria of cells and is the most efficient way to produce energy during exercise. Anaerobic respiration and glycolysis are alternative pathways for energy production when oxygen is limited, typically occurring during high-intensity exercise. Lactic acid fermentation, on the other hand, occurs in the absence of oxygen and leads to the production of lactic acid, causing muscle fatigue and soreness.