Choose the term that describes the point of support, or axis, about which a lever may rotate?

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The term that describes the point of support, or axis, about which a lever may rotate is known as the fulcrum. The fulcrum acts as the pivot point in a lever system, allowing the lever to rotate around it in response to applied forces. In biomechanics, understanding the role of the fulcrum is crucial, as it greatly influences the mechanical advantage and the efficiency of movements involving levers, like those experienced in human motion.

The moment arm refers to the perpendicular distance from the fulcrum to the line of action of the force, playing a role in calculating torque but not serving as the pivot point. Mechanical advantage pertains to the benefit gained from using a lever, which is dependent on the positions of the fulcrum, effort, and load, but does not define the pivot itself. A lever, in general, refers to a rigid bar that rotates around the fulcrum, but it does not specifically denote the point of support. Thus, the fulcrum is the correct choice as it precisely defines the axis of rotation for lever systems.

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