Final answer:
The correct option is d. The factor responsible for determining acoustic impedance in soft tissue is density, which, when multiplied by the speed of sound in tissue, defines the acoustic impedance, which is critical in medical ultrasound imaging.
Step-by-step explanation:
For soft tissue, the factor responsible for determining acoustic impedance is density. Acoustic impedance (Z) is a physical property of tissue that affects the propagation of sound waves and is defined by the product of the tissue's density (ρ) and the speed of sound (u) within that tissue, expressed as Z = ρu.
This principle is crucial in medical imaging, especially in ultrasound imaging where the impedance of various tissues affects the reflection and transmission of ultrasound waves and thus the quality of the image.