Which hormone, produced by the pancreas, is released in response to low blood sugar levels and stimulates the release of glucose into the bloodstream?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Glucagon is the hormone produced by the pancreas that is released in response to low blood sugar levels. It acts to stimulate the release of glucose into the bloodstream by promoting the breakdown of glycogen in the liver. Insulin, conversely, is released in response to high blood sugar levels and promotes the uptake of glucose by cells. Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates metabolism and the immune response. Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism but is not involved in responding to low blood sugar levels.

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.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: External respiration is the correct term for the process of exchanging gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the blood and the tissues. It specifically refers to the exchange of gases that occurs in the lungs, where oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is released from the bloodstream to be exhaled. Inhalation and exhalation, choices A and B, are phases of the breathing process that involve the intake and expulsion of air into and out of the lungs, respectively. Internal respiration, choice D, is the process of gas exchange that happens at the cellular level between the blood and body tissues, not between the blood and the lungs or tissues as in external respiration. Therefore, external respiration is the most appropriate term for the described gas exchange process in the question.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Prokaryotic cell. Prokaryotic cells are characterized by having a nucleus that is not enclosed within a membrane (nuclear envelope) and lacking membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus. Plant, animal, and fungal cells are eukaryotic cells, which have a true nucleus enclosed within a nuclear envelope and contain membrane-bound organelles. Therefore, options A, C, and D are incorrect as they all represent eukaryotic cells that possess membrane-bound organelles.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Gastritis is the correct answer as it is characterized by inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach. This inflammation can be caused by various factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), infections, or autoimmune diseases. Symptoms of gastritis may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is incorrect because it involves the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, leading to symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation, not inflammation of the stomach lining. Diverticulitis refers to inflammation or infection of small pouches that can form in the walls of the colon, not the stomach. Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum, not the stomach lining.