Which element is used in fire extinguishers to smother flames by displacing oxygen?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Carbon dioxide is the correct answer. It is used in fire extinguishers because it displaces oxygen, which is necessary for combustion. When carbon dioxide is released onto a fire, it reduces the oxygen concentration around the flames, effectively smothering the fire. This disruption of oxygen availability interrupts the chemical reaction that sustains the fire. Nitrogen (Choice A), helium (Choice C), and argon (Choice D) are not typically used in fire extinguishers for smothering flames by displacing oxygen. Nitrogen is an inert gas that can displace oxygen but is not as effective as carbon dioxide in fire suppression.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Somatic nervous system. The somatic nervous system is responsible for controlling voluntary movements, such as the contraction of skeletal muscles. This system consists of motor neurons that send signals from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles, allowing for conscious control over movement. The autonomic nervous system (A) controls involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion, the peripheral nervous system (B) includes all nerves outside the central nervous system, and the sympathetic nervous system (D) is a division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight response. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not specifically regulate voluntary movements of skeletal muscles, which is a function of the somatic nervous system.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the corpus callosum. It is a thick band of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication and coordination between them. The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory information, the hypothalamus regulates basic functions like hunger and thirst, and the medulla oblongata controls vital functions such as breathing and heart rate. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not specifically connect the two hemispheres of the brain as the corpus callosum does.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The cerebellum is the part of the brain that plays a crucial role in the regulation of balance, coordination, and posture. It receives information from the sensory systems, the spinal cord, and other parts of the brain to coordinate voluntary movements. While the thalamus is involved in relaying sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex, the cerebrum is responsible for higher brain functions such as thought and action. The hypothalamus is involved in various bodily functions including the regulation of body temperature, hunger, and thirst, but it is not primarily responsible for balance, coordination, and posture. Therefore, the correct answer is the cerebellum.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Progesterone, produced by the ovaries, is responsible for the development of the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle and supports early pregnancy. While estrogen also plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle, progesterone is specifically known for its role in preparing the uterus for pregnancy and maintaining the uterine lining. Testosterone is primarily a male sex hormone and not directly involved in these processes. Prolactin is a hormone that is mainly associated with milk production and not related to the development of the uterine lining or early pregnancy.