What is the approximate threshold value for mammalian neurons?

Melanin.

Melanin is a pigment produced by cells called melanocytes in the skin.

It protects the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation by absorbing and dissipating over 99.9% of absorbed UV radiation.

This helps to prevent DNA damage and other adverse effects of UV radiation on the skin.

Choice B.

Perspiration is not correct because it is a fluid produced by sweat glands in the skin that helps to regulate body temperature, but it does not protect the skin from UV radiation.

Choice C.

Sebum is not correct because it is an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands in the skin that helps to lubricate and protect the skin, but it does not protect the skin from UV radiation.

Choice D.

Keratin is not correct because it is a fibrous protein that provides strength and durability to the skin, hair and nails, but it does not protect the skin from UV radiation.

Microtubule organization.

Centrosomes are organelles that serve as the main microtubule-organizing centers for animal cells.

They regulate the movement of microtubules and other cytoskeletal structures, thereby facilitating changes in the shapes of the membranes of animal cells.

Choice A, Organelle trafficking, is not the correct answer because while centrosomes do play a role in intracellular trafficking during interphase by organizing an astral ray of microtubules, their main function is microtubule organization.

Choice B, Pathogen digestion, is not the correct answer because centrosomes do not play a direct role in pathogen digestion.

Choice C, Cytoplasm formation, is not the correct answer because centrosomes do not play a direct role in cytoplasm formation.

Sodium bicarbonate neutralizes the acidity of chyme.

The pancreas secretes large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, which protects the duodenum by neutralizing the acid that comes from the stomach.

This compound helps neutralize stomach acid generated during the digestive process.

Choice A is incorrect because sodium bicarbonate is not a protease that digests carbohydrates.

Proteases are enzymes that break down proteins, while sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound that helps neutralize stomach acid.

Choice B is incorrect because sodium bicarbonate does not stimulate the pyloric sphincter.

The pyloric sphincter is a ring of smooth muscle that separates the stomach from the duodenum and regulates the passage of partially digested food (chyme) into the small intestine.

Choice C is incorrect because sodium bicarbonate does not inhibit peristalsis.

Peristalsis is a series of wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

A tsunami is a catastrophic ocean wave that is usually caused by a submarine earthquake.

It can also be caused by an underwater or coastal landslide, the eruption of a volcano, or the impact of a meteor or comet in a body of water.

Choice A is not correct because sunspot activity does not cause tsunamis.

Choice B is not correct because lightning strikes do not cause tsunamis.

Choice D is not correct because flooding does not cause tsunamis.

Genes are used in the process of DNA sequencing to determine the order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule.

Choice B.

Blood types is not the correct answer because blood types are determined by the presence or absence of specific antigens on the surface of red blood cells and are not directly related to DNA sequencing.

Choice C.

Hormones is not the correct answer because hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in the body and are not directly involved in DNA sequencing.

Choice D.

Genes is the correct answer because genes are used in the process of DNA sequencing to determine the order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule.

Amino acids have a unique structure consisting of an amino group (-NH3⁺) and a carboxyl group (-COO⁻) attached to a central carbon (called the α-carbon). At physiological pH (around 7.4), these functional groups often exist in their ionized forms:

• The amino group (-NH3⁺) is positively charged, acting as a proton acceptor (a base).
• The carboxyl group (-COO⁻) is negatively charged, acting as a proton donor (an acid).

This results in a zwitterion — a molecule with both a positive and a negative charge. Because amino acids can accept or donate protons depending on the pH of their environment, they have buffering capacity. This means they can resist changes in pH by stabilizing the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺).

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

• A. Monosaccharides: These are simple sugars without ionizable functional groups, so they cannot act as buffers.
• B. Ribonucleotides and D. Deoxyribonucleotides: While nucleotides have phosphate groups that can donate protons, they lack the dual positive and negative functional groups necessary for the strong buffering effect seen in amino acids.

Therefore, amino acids are the correct choice because their zwitterionic nature provides them with excellent buffering capacity.

The two major parts of the nervous system are the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord and acts as the integration and command center of the body.

The PNS represents the conduit between the CNS and the body and is further subdivided into the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Choice A is incorrect because it only mentions two subdivisions of the PNS, which are the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and somatic nervous system (SNS).

Choice B is incorrect because it only mentions one major part of the nervous system, which is the PNS, and one subdivision of it, which is the SNS.

Choice D is incorrect because it only mentions one major part of the nervous system, which is the CNS, and one subdivision of the PNS, which is the ANS.

Heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects.

The data in the table shows that as the number of filters (and therefore the mass) increases, the terminal velocity also increases.

This means that the heavier objects (with more filters) are falling faster than the lighter objects (with fewer filters).

Choice A is not supported by the data in the table as much as it is true.

Terminal velocity is indeed when the force of gravity is equal to air resistance, but this definition does not provide any information about the relationship between mass and terminal velocity.

Choice B is also not supported by the data in the table.

The data does not provide any information about the time it takes for an object to reach terminal velocity.

Choice D is not supported by the data in the table.

The data shows that as the number of filters increases, the terminal velocity also increases.

This means that the greater the number of filters, the greater (not smaller) the terminal velocity.

The atomic number of an atom is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus.

In this case, the atom has 12 protons, so its atomic number is 12.

Choice A, 24, is not the correct answer because it represents the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the atom’s nucleus, which is known as the mass number.

Choice C, 1, is not the correct answer because it does not represent the number of protons in the atom’s nucleus.

Choice D, 144, is not the correct answer because it represents the square of the mass number and does not represent any property of the atom.

Calcium ions play a crucial role in initiating muscle contraction.

When a muscle cell is stimulated to contract by an action potential, calcium channels open in the sarcoplasmic membrane and release calcium into the sarcoplasm.

Some of this calcium attaches to troponin, which causes it to change shape.

This shape change exposes binding sites for myosin on the actin filaments.

Myosin’s binding to actin causes crossbridge formation, and contraction of the muscle begins.

The other ions mentioned in the question do not have this specific role in muscle contraction.

Potassium ions are important for maintaining the resting membrane potential of cells, but they do not bind to the troponin complex.

Phosphorus ions are important for energy metabolism, but they do not bind to the troponin complex.

Sodium ions are important for generating action potentials, but they do not bind to the troponin complex.