Nursing Elites

1. A cell is in a solution in which the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell than outside the cell. What would you expect to happen to the cell?

• A. It will swell and possibly burst.
• B. It will shrivel and shrink.
• C. It will maintain its current size.
• D. It will grow a supportive cell wall.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a cell is in a solution where the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell than outside, it is in a hypertonic environment. In this situation, water will move into the cell in an attempt to equalize the concentration of solutes on both sides of the cell membrane through the process of osmosis. As a result, the cell will swell as it takes in more water, potentially leading to bursting or cell lysis. Choice B is incorrect because a cell in a hypertonic solution will not shrivel and shrink due to water moving into the cell. Choice C is incorrect because the cell will not maintain its current size; it will swell. Choice D is incorrect because growing a supportive cell wall is not the immediate response to being in a hypertonic environment.

2. What kind of symbiosis exists between a pneumonia bacterium and a human?

• A. Mutualism
• B. Parasitism
• C. Commensalism
• D. Competition

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the case of a pneumonia bacterium and a human, the relationship is best described as parasitism. The bacterium benefits by causing harm to the human host, while the human is negatively affected by the presence of the bacterium, leading to illness or infection. This is a classic example of a parasitic relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of the other. Mutualism (Choice A) is a type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from each other. Commensalism (Choice C) is a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits, and the other is neither helped nor harmed. Competition (Choice D) refers to a relationship where both organisms are negatively affected by each other as they compete for resources.

3. Which of the following is true of optical microscopy?

• A. Utilizes scanning electrons
• B. Utilizes visible light
• C. Utilizes dye for samples
• D. More than one of the above is true

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'More than one of the above is true.' Optical microscopy utilizes visible light (Choice B) and often involves the use of dyes for samples (Choice C). Using dyes helps enhance contrast, making it easier to visualize the structures being observed. Choice A is incorrect as optical microscopy does not utilize scanning electrons, but rather visible light.

4. How does yeast reproduce?

• A. Binary fission
• B. Spore formation
• C. Budding
• D. Cloning

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Yeast typically reproduces through a process called budding. During budding, a small outgrowth forms on the parent yeast cell, gradually enlarging in size until it separates to become a new, genetically identical daughter cell. This method of reproduction allows yeast to rapidly multiply and grow in favorable conditions. It is different from binary fission, spore formation, and cloning. Binary fission involves the division of a single organism into two genetically identical organisms. Spore formation is a method seen in certain fungi where specialized cells develop into spores for reproduction. Cloning involves producing genetically identical copies of an organism. Therefore, budding is the correct answer for how yeast reproduces.

5. Which structure might be described as a core of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat?

• A. RNA
• B. Virus
• C. Blue-green alga
• D. Saprophyte

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A virus can be described as a core of nucleic acid (either RNA or DNA) surrounded by a protein coat, known as a capsid. This structure distinguishes viruses from other microorganisms such as blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria), fungi known as saprophytes, or individual RNA molecules. Viruses depend on a host cell to replicate and are considered non-living entities due to their inability to carry out metabolic functions independently.

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