Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, hyponychium. The hyponychium is the skin under the free edge of the nail, responsible for sealing the nail to the fingertip and protecting the nail bed from bacteria and debris. The lunula (choice A) refers to the white crescent moon shape at the base of the nail. The matrix (choice B) is the area under the nail where new nail cells are produced. The free edge (choice D) is the part of the nail that extends beyond the fingertip or toe.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Sarcomeres are the smallest contractile units within muscle cells. They consist of overlapping filaments of actin and myosin proteins, which interact to produce muscle contractions. Myocytes are the entire muscle cells, myofibrils are bundles of protein filaments found within muscle cells, and tendons are tough connective tissues that connect muscles to bones. Therefore, sarcomeres specifically represent the contractile units responsible for muscle contraction, making them the correct answer in this context.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The primary function of the epiglottis in the respiratory system is to prevent food from entering the trachea. During swallowing, the epiglottis covers the opening of the trachea, guiding food down the esophagus to the stomach and preventing it from entering the airway. This mechanism safeguards the respiratory system from foreign objects, ensuring proper air passage and avoiding potential choking hazards. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect: A) Filtration of air is mainly performed by the nasal hairs and the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. B) Production of mucus is primarily carried out by the mucous glands in the respiratory system to trap particles and humidify the air. D) Oxygen exchange in the alveoli occurs in the lungs and is related to the process of respiration, not the function of the epiglottis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The Golgi apparatus is the cellular organelle responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for transport within the cell or for secretion outside the cell. Ribosomes are not involved in modifying, sorting, or packaging proteins; they are responsible for protein synthesis. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is primarily involved in protein synthesis and folding, rather than modification and packaging for transport. Lysosomes function in breaking down cellular waste rather than modifying, sorting, or packaging proteins for transport.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C - 'Balanced equation'. A balanced equation is a representation of a chemical reaction that shows the reactants, products, and their stoichiometric coefficients. It ensures that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation, following the law of conservation of mass. Choice A, 'Hypothesis', is incorrect as it refers to a proposed explanation based on limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. Choice B, 'Chemical formula', is incorrect as it represents the composition of a compound using symbols and subscripts. Choice D, 'Reaction mechanism', is incorrect as it describes the step-by-step process by which a chemical reaction occurs, not just the overall representation of the reaction itself.