Question

question 22 (1 point) saved
during childhood and after menopause, _________ protects the vagina and cervix.

a) low ph

b) mucus

c) estrogen

d) glycogen

question 23 (1 point) saved
molluscum contagiosum

a) is caused by a member of the herpes family.

b) is a disease that takes the form of skin lesions or wartlike growths.

c) affects the membranes of the urinary system.

d) cannot be transmitted sexually.

Explanation:

Question 22

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option a: Low pH is maintained by lactobacilli (using glycogen) in reproductive years, not the main protector in childhood/after menopause.
• Option b: Mucus has a role but not the key protector here.
• Option c: Estrogen levels are low in childhood and after menopause, but this option is incorrect as the correct protector is mucus or other mechanisms? Wait, no—wait, actually, during childhood and after menopause, when estrogen is low, the vagina has less glycogen, but the protective factor here is mucus? Wait, no, the correct answer is actually b) mucus? Wait, no, the original selected option was c, but let's re - evaluate. Wait, no, in reproductive years, estrogen promotes glycogen production in vaginal epithelium, which lactobacilli use to make acid (low pH) for protection. In childhood and after menopause (low estrogen), there's less glycogen, so the protection comes from mucus. But the original question's selected option was c, but that's a mistake. Wait, no, maybe I misremember. Wait, the correct answer: During childhood and after menopause, mucus protects the vagina and cervix. But the options: Let's check again. The question is "During childhood and after menopause, ______ protects the vagina and cervix."
• a) low pH: In reproductive years, low pH (from lactobacilli fermenting glycogen, which is promoted by estrogen) protects. In childhood/menopause, estrogen is low, so less glycogen, so low pH is not the main protector.
• b) mucus: Mucus is a physical barrier and has protective properties, and this is the correct protector when estrogen - driven glycogen/low pH is not the main mechanism (childhood/menopause).
• c) estrogen: Estrogen levels are low in these periods, so it can't be the protector.
• d) glycogen: Glycogen is used in reproductive years for lactobacilli, not present in high amounts in childhood/menopause.

But the original selection was c, which is incorrect. The correct answer should be b) mucus. Wait, maybe the original question had a mistake, but according to the options, the correct answer is b) mucus? No, wait, let's check reliable sources. During childhood and after menopause, the vaginal epithelium is thin (due to low estrogen), and the cervix and vagina are protected by mucus. So the correct answer is b) mucus. But the original selected option was c, which is wrong. However, based on the options, the correct answer is b) mucus. But maybe the question's intended answer was different. Wait, perhaps I made a mistake. Let's re - check: Estrogen is low in childhood and after menopause. The vaginal mucosa is thin, and the protection is from mucus. So the correct option is b) mucus.

Analyze each option for Molluscum contagiosum:

• Option a: Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus, not a herpesvirus. So a is incorrect.
• Option b: Molluscum contagiosum presents as skin lesions (small, firm, pearly - looking bumps with a dimple in the center) or wart - like growths. This is correct.
• Option c: It affects the skin (and mucous membranes in some cases, but not primarily the urinary system membranes). So c is incorrect.
• Option d: It can be transmitted sexually (as well as through skin - to - skin contact, shared towels, etc.). So d is incorrect.

Answer:

b) mucus

Question 23