Which molecule is responsible for storing and providing a quick source of energy during short bursts of intense physical activity, such as weightlifting or sprinting?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is the molecule responsible for storing and providing a quick source of energy during short bursts of intense physical activity like weightlifting or sprinting. ATP is broken down to release energy rapidly when muscles need quick, intense efforts. Glucose is a source of energy but must be converted into ATP before it can be used by muscles. Myoglobin is a protein that stores oxygen in muscle cells and does not directly provide energy. Lactic acid is produced during intense exercise but is not the primary molecule responsible for providing quick energy during short bursts of intense physical activities.

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: C

Rationale: Prolactin is the hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the production of milk in mammary glands during breastfeeding. It plays a crucial role in lactation by promoting the development of mammary tissue and the production of milk. Growth hormone (GH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) do not directly stimulate milk production in mammary glands. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect in the context of stimulating milk production during breastfeeding.

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.