Which hormones are responsible for maintaining blood glucose level?

A. These fish are high in mercury, a heavy metal that can cross the placenta and harm the developing fetal nervous system. Mercury exposure during pregnancy is associated with impaired cognitive development, delays in walking and talking, and other neurological deficits. Pregnant women are advised to avoid shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel to minimize these risks.

B. While these fish are high in protein, protein itself is beneficial during pregnancy and is not a reason to avoid these fish. The concern is specifically related to mercury content, not protein.

C. These fish are not low in minerals. In fact, fish generally provide important nutrients like selenium, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial during pregnancy.

D. Digestibility is not the issue. The problem is the potential toxic effect of mercury, not the difficulty of digesting the fish.

A. Vision changes in older adults, such as presbyopia, cataracts, or macular degeneration, are caused by age-related alterations in the eyes themselves, not by saliva production. Vision decline is independent of oral secretions.

B. Smell depends on olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity. Although aging can reduce the sensitivity of smell receptors (hyposmia), this is unrelated to saliva levels, so decreased saliva does not impair olfactory function.

C. Hearing loss, often due to presbycusis or damage to inner ear structures, is not influenced by saliva production. The auditory system, not the oral cavity, governs hearing function.

D. Taste is directly affected by saliva production. Saliva is essential for dissolving food particles so that taste buds on the tongue can detect flavors. In older adults, reduced saliva production, called xerostomia or dry mouth, can diminish perception of sweet, salty, sour, and bitter flavors, make chewing and swallowing more difficult, increase the risk of dental caries and oral infections, and reduce appetite, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies. Because taste and flavor perception depend on adequate saliva, a decrease can significantly affect food enjoyment and nutritional intake. Managing dry mouth with hydration, sugar-free gum, saliva substitutes, and proper oral hygiene helps maintain taste perception and overall nutrition.