What mechanism allows for a contraction of the highlighted cell? -gap junction -tight junction -sliding filament -intercalated disc

The answer is sliding filament.

Muscle fibers are made up of myosin and actin filaments that straddle one another in alternating sequence. The myosin has myosin heads that act on the actin and enable the myofibrils to slide across each other in opposite directions. This causes the muscle to shorten hence contract. This is an energy-requiring process (hence hydrolyses ATP) and also requires calcium ions. In an animation, the myosin would seem to ‘walk’ on the actin filament.

as the gila monster consumes the eggs or young of the desert cottontail and gambel's quail, thus its main food supply is only accessible for a restricted time duration every year. however, for this, the gila monsters exhibit three adaptations, which elevate their survival rate in the desert condition.  

first, is that they possess huge bodies, and can consume greater concentrations of food during a small period. secondly, they require to feed infrequently as they can accumulate fat in their tails. ultimately, their rate of metabolism is very low, so that they can burn their reservoirs of fat gradually.