Question

read the passage and then answer the question.
a typical human baby is born with around 300 bones, but by the time that baby reaches adulthood, it will have only 206. initially, such a notable diminution in the number of bones may seem counterintuitive—shouldnt a skeleton need more bones, not fewer, as it grows? the explanation lies in the way bones grow and develop.
with age, the human skeleton undergoes a process of bone fusion. newborns bones are spongy and give way to pressure because they are made primarily of cartilage. these malleable bones make it easier for a newborn to pass through the narrow birth canal. over time, however, the bones gain more calcium and join together, forming the 206 bones that make up an adults skeletal structure.
what is the meaning of fusion as used in the passage?
chemistry
creation
combining
softening
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Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "fusion" in the passage, we analyze the context. The passage states that newborns have around 300 bones, and as they grow, the bones "join together" to form 206 bones in adulthood. The word "fusion" here relates to this joining process. "Chemistry" is a scientific field, not a meaning of the word in this context. "Creation" implies making something new, but the bones are joining, not being created anew. "Softening" is the opposite of what happens (bones gain calcium and become more rigid as they join). "Combining" matches the idea of bones joining together to form fewer, larger bone structures.

Answer:

combining