What term refers to the mechanical act of breathing?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Ventilation is the correct answer as it specifically refers to the mechanical process of breathing air in and out of the lungs. Diffusion (choice A) is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to low concentration, not related to the mechanical act of breathing. Perfusion (choice B) is the process of blood flow through the tissues and organs, not directly related to breathing mechanically. Respiration (choice C) involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the cellular level, different from the mechanical act of breathing.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Interstitial space. This term specifically refers to the area where lymph flows between tissues. Lymph does not flow through arteries (choice A) or veins (choice D) as these vessels carry blood. The term 'lumen' (choice B) refers to the inside space of a tubular structure, like a blood vessel, but it does not specifically denote the space where lymph flows through the body.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The thymus is the primary gland responsible for the maturation of T cells in the immune system. T cells are a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response. The hypothalamus is primarily involved in hormone regulation and maintaining homeostasis. The pineal gland is responsible for secreting melatonin and regulating the sleep-wake cycle. The thyroid gland plays a key role in metabolism regulation through the production of thyroid hormones. Therefore, the correct answer is the thymus because it is specifically associated with the maturation of T cells, making it essential for proper immune function.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Mitochondria. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell and are responsible for producing ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell through cellular respiration. Ribosomes (Choice A) are involved in protein synthesis, the nucleus (Choice B) stores genetic material and controls cell activities, and the endoplasmic reticulum (Choice D) plays a role in protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, and detoxification, but none of these structures are directly responsible for producing ATP.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Osmosis is the process where water moves across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration. Choice A is incorrect because osmosis does not involve movement against the concentration gradient. Choice C is incorrect because osmosis primarily involves the movement of water, not water and solutes together. Choice D is incorrect as osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water molecules, not large molecules, through a membrane.