Nursing Elites

1. Antigenic variation, a common strategy used by some viruses, allows them to:

• A. Produce toxins
• B. Evade the immune system
• C. Survive outside a host
• D. Replicate rapidly

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Antigenic variation is a strategy used by some viruses to evade the host's immune response. By constantly changing their surface antigens, viruses can avoid recognition and destruction by the immune system. This allows the virus to persist in the host and continue replicating, leading to prolonged infection and potential transmission to other hosts. Antigenic variation does not directly involve the production of toxins, survival outside a host, or rapid replication, making options A, C, and D incorrect in this context.

2. The process by which two or more species reciprocally influence each other's evolution through selection pressures exerted on one another is called:

• A. Convergent evolution
• B. Divergent evolution
• C. Coevolution
• D. Coevolution

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Convergent evolution refers to the process by which unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures. This does not involve reciprocal influence between species. B) Divergent evolution refers to the process by which two or more related species become more dissimilar over time due to different selection pressures. This also does not involve reciprocal influence between species. C) Coevolution is the process by which two or more species reciprocally influence each other's evolution through selection pressures exerted on one another. This can lead to a close ecological relationship between the species, such as in predator-prey interactions or mutualistic relationships. D) This option is a duplicate of option C.

3. What defines the period of a wave?

• A. The time it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass a point
• B. The distance between two adjacent crests or troughs
• C. The number of waves passing a point per unit time
• D. The maximum displacement of particles in a medium due to the wave

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The period of a wave is defined as the time it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass a point. It is a crucial parameter in wave analysis and is typically measured in seconds. The period is directly related to the frequency of the wave, as they are reciprocals of each other. Therefore, the correct answer is the time it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass a point (choice A). The period is not related to the number of waves passing a point per unit time (choice C), the distance between two adjacent crests or troughs (choice B), or the maximum displacement of particles in a medium due to the wave (choice D).

4. What is the process by which cells respond to external stimuli, such as chemicals, temperature, or touch, called?

• A. Signal transduction
• B. Homeostasis
• C. Adaptation
• D. Metabolism

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Signal transduction is the correct answer. It is the process by which cells respond to external stimuli like chemicals, temperature, or touch. When a cell receives a signal from its environment, it triggers a series of molecular events leading to a specific cellular response. This process involves transmitting signals from the cell surface to the interior, triggering various cellular activities. Homeostasis, on the other hand, refers to an organism's ability to maintain internal stability in response to external changes. Adaptation involves an organism adjusting to its environment over time through genetic changes or behavioral modifications, which is distinct from the process of cells responding to immediate external stimuli. Metabolism, although essential for cellular functions, is not specifically about cells responding to external stimuli but rather the biochemical processes involved in energy production, storage, and utilization within cells.

5. Which of the following has a smaller genetic scale than a chromosome?

• A. Genome
• B. Gene
• C. DNA
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'B: Gene.' A gene is a segment of DNA and is smaller in scale than a chromosome. Genes are the fundamental units of heredity, containing the instructions for building and maintaining an organism. While a chromosome is a larger structure that carries many genes, each gene is a specific segment of DNA responsible for encoding a particular protein or RNA molecule. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. The 'Genome' (Choice A) refers to the complete set of an organism's genetic material, including all of its genes, while 'DNA' (Choice C) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions. 'All of the above' (Choice D) is incorrect because not all options have a smaller genetic scale than a chromosome.

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