Which of the following types of hormones can diffuse through the cell membrane to bind to receptors inside the cell and stimulate a chemical response to a target cell?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: fat-soluble hormones. Fat-soluble hormones are able to diffuse through the cell membrane to bind to receptors inside the cell. This is because they are lipophilic, allowing them to cross the lipid bilayer easily. Once inside the cell, fat-soluble hormones can directly affect gene expression or cell function. Choice B, amino acid derivatives, and choice C, hydrophilic hormones, are not able to diffuse through the cell membrane as they are not lipophilic. Therefore, they cannot bind to receptors inside the cell. Choice D, water-soluble hormones, also cannot diffuse through the cell membrane as it is hydrophilic, making it unable to reach receptors inside the cell.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Polarity is the most important characteristic of water because it results in hydrogen bonding, a high specific heat value, and its versatile solvent properties. These unique properties enable water to form hydrogen bonds with other substances, resist temperature changes, and dissolve a wide variety of solutes, making it essential for life processes. Choice B is incorrect because water exhibits hydrogen bonding, not covalent bonding. Choice C is incorrect as water does not form ionic bonds. Choice D is incorrect because water has a high, not low, specific heat value, which is vital for its role in temperature regulation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the organelle responsible for detoxifying multiple molecules in a cell. It contains enzymes that help break down toxins and drugs, making it an essential organelle for detoxification processes. The rough ER, lysosome, and Golgi apparatus do not play direct roles in detoxification. The rough ER is mainly involved in protein synthesis and transport. Lysosomes are responsible for digestion and recycling within the cell. The Golgi apparatus is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion or for use within the cell.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions that occur within an organism to maintain life. It involves all the processes that break down molecules to release energy (catabolism) and build new molecules to support growth and maintenance (anabolism). Respiration refers specifically to the process of generating energy from the breakdown of glucose molecules. Synthesis is the creation of complex molecules from simpler ones. Therefore, metabolism is the most comprehensive term that encompasses all these processes within an organism.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: cellular respiration and fermentation. Cellular respiration involves the breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce ATP, which is the primary source of energy for cells. Fermentation, on the other hand, occurs in the absence of oxygen and produces ATP through glycolysis followed by specific fermentation pathways. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Protein synthesis is a biosynthetic process, not a catabolic pathway for energy production. Glycolysis is a common step in both cellular respiration and fermentation, so it is not a pair of distinct catabolic pathways. Therefore, the most accurate pairing of catabolic pathways for cellular energy production is cellular respiration and fermentation.