Nursing Elites

1. At the beginning of meiosis, how many chromosomes does the diploid parent cell have?

• A. 23
• B. 24
• C. 46
• D. 54

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 46. At the start of meiosis, the diploid parent cell contains 46 chromosomes. During meiosis, the number of chromosomes is halved, resulting in each gamete having 23 chromosomes. Choice A (23) is incorrect because that is the number of chromosomes in a human gamete, not the parent cell. Choice B (24) and Choice D (54) are also incorrect as they do not reflect the correct number of chromosomes in a diploid parent cell at the beginning of meiosis.

2. Which of the following molecules acts as the genetic code's messenger?

• A. RNA
• B. Proteins
• C. DNA
• D. Carbohydrates

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is RNA. RNA, particularly mRNA, serves as the messenger that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized. Proteins (choice B) are not the genetic code's messenger; they are synthesized based on the information carried by RNA. DNA (choice C) stores the genetic information but does not directly act as the messenger. Carbohydrates (choice D) are not involved in transmitting genetic information.

3. What is the science of biological classification commonly called?

• A. Taxonomy
• B. Physiology
• C. Botany
• D. Zoology

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Taxonomy is the science of naming, defining, and classifying groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics. Physiology (choice B) is the study of the functions and processes of living organisms, not classification. Botany (choice C) is the study of plants, while Zoology (choice D) is the study of animals. Therefore, the correct answer is Taxonomy (choice A).

4. What are the nitrogenous bases of DNA?

• A. Adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine
• B. Adenine, guanine, and uracil
• C. Adenine, guanine, and thymine
• D. Adenine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. These are the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA. Adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine, forming the complementary base pairs in the double helix structure of DNA. Choice B is incorrect because uracil is a nitrogenous base found in RNA, not DNA. Choice C is incorrect as it is missing cytosine, one of the four bases in DNA. Choice D is incorrect because uracil is not a nitrogenous base in DNA, and it also lacks thymine, which is essential for DNA structure.

5. What cell structure is responsible for efficiently packaging DNA into a small volume to fit into the nucleus of a cell and protect the DNA structure and sequence?

• A. Golgi apparatus
• B. Chromatin
• C. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
• D. Mitochondria

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Chromatin is the correct answer. Chromatin is responsible for packaging DNA into a more compact, dense structure to fit into the nucleus and protect the DNA. The Golgi apparatus is involved in processing and packaging proteins, not DNA. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is involved in lipid metabolism and detoxification. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell responsible for energy production, not DNA packaging.

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