Neurons communicate with each other through both electrical and chemical signals.

The electrical signal, or action potential, runs from the cell body area to the axon terminals, through a thin fibre called axon.

Neurons also communicate with one another at junctions called synapses. At a synapse, one neuron sends a message to a target neuron—another cell.

Most synapses are chemical; these synapses communicate using chemical messengers.

Choice A is incorrect because neurons communicate not only through electrical signals but also through chemical signals.

Choice B is incorrect because neurons communicate not only through chemical signals but also through electrical signals.

Choice D is incorrect because neurons do not communicate through mechanical signals.

The neuromuscular junction is a type of synapse where neuronal signals from the brain or spinal cord interact with skeletal muscle fibers, causing them to contract.

The activation of many muscle fibers together causes muscles to contract, which in turn can produce movement.

Choice B is incorrect because binding acetylcholine to nAChRs is a process that occurs at the neuromuscular junction, but it is not the function of the neuromuscular junction itself.

Choice C is incorrect because depolarizing the muscle cell membrane is a result of the function of the neuromuscular junction, but it is not the function itself.

Choice D is incorrect because activating voltage-gated sodium channels on the muscle membrane is a result of the function of the neuromuscular junction, but it is not the function itself.

The normal flora refers to the microbial community that colonizes on the skin and mucus membrane.

Normal flora can be found in many human body sites, including the skin, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and digestive tract.

Choice B is incorrect because normal flora does not refer to a group of infectious parasites that cause diarrheal diseases.

Choice C is incorrect because normal flora does not refer to the genetic material of bacteria housed within a true nucleus.

Choice D is incorrect because normal flora does not refer to the protein coat surrounding the viral genome.

Bacteria can perform photosynthesis while archaea cannot. Many types of bacteria can generate oxygen from sunlight through photosynthesis, while archaea cannot perform this process.

Choice A is incorrect because neither bacteria nor archaea have a true nucleus. Both are prokaryotic organisms.

Choice B is incorrect because archaea reproduce by fission, fragmentation, or budding, while bacteria can produce spores and divide sexually or asexually. Choice D is incorrect because archaeal and bacterial flagella are constructed differently.

Atomic mass is very close to mass number but with some deviation in the decimal places.

Atomic mass is also known as atomic weight and is the weighted average mass of an atom of an element based on the relative natural abundance of that element’s isotopes.

The mass number, on the other hand, is a count of the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom’s nucleus.

Choice A is incorrect because atomic mass and mass number do not mean the same thing.

Choice B is incorrect because atomic mass is not always greater than mass number.

Choice C is incorrect because atomic mass and mass number are related.

Protons contribute to the positive charge of an atom.

Protons are subatomic particles with a positive charge found in the nucleus of an atom.

Choice B is incorrect because neutrons are neutral and do not have a charge.

Choice C is incorrect because electrons have a negative charge.

Choice D is incorrect because nucleons refer to both protons and neutrons, but only protons contribute to the positive charge of an atom.

Innate immunity represents the first line of defense to an intruding pathogen.

The innate immune system is a series of nonspecific defenses that make up the innate immune system.

These defenses are not directed against any one pathogen but instead provide a guard against all infection.

Choice A is incorrect because adaptive immunity is activated when pathogens are able to bypass innate immune defenses.

Choice B is incorrect because antibodies are part of the adaptive immune system and are produced by B cells.

Choice D is incorrect because T cells are part of the adaptive immune system and assist B cells or directly kill infected cells.

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are a class of receptors that can directly recognize the specific molecular structures on the surface of pathogens.

PRRs play a crucial role in the proper function of the innate immune system and are germline-encoded host sensors, which detect molecules typical for the pathogens.

Choice B is incorrect because cytokines are not receptors but rather signaling molecules that regulate immunity.

Choice C is incorrect because chemokines are not receptors but rather signaling molecules that attract immune cells to sites of infection.

Choice D is incorrect because T cells are not receptors but rather white blood cells that assist B cells or directly kill infected cells.

Immunologic memory is the hallmark of adaptive immunity.

Immunologic memory enables the host to mount a more rapid and efficient immune response upon subsequent exposure to the antigen.

Choice A is incorrect because rapid recruitment of immune cells to sites of infection and inflammation is a characteristic of innate immunity.

Choice B is incorrect because antigen-independent defense mechanisms are characteristic of innate immunity.

Choice D is incorrect because non-specific host-defence mechanisms are characteristic of innate immunity.

Inflammatory cytokines released during the early response to bacterial infection play a crucial role in initiating cell recruitment and local inflammation 1.

They induce the expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells and promote the recruitment of neutrophils to the site of inflammation 1.

Choice A is incorrect because while inflammatory cytokines may enhance phagocytosis, they do not directly disrupt the infection.

Choice B is incorrect because inflammatory cytokines do not directly attack invading pathogens.

Choice D is incorrect because inflammatory cytokines do not secrete antibodies to neutralize pathogens.