Nursing Elites

1. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissues. What is a potential cause of autoimmune diseases?

• A. Deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals
• B. Exposure to environmental toxins
• C. Breakdown in immune cell self-tolerance mechanisms
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Autoimmune diseases result from a breakdown in immune cell self-tolerance mechanisms, leading to the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy body tissues. While deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals or exposure to environmental toxins can impact overall health, they are not direct causes of autoimmune diseases. Deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals may weaken the immune system, making it more susceptible to various health issues but does not directly cause autoimmune diseases. Exposure to environmental toxins can trigger immune responses, but autoimmune diseases specifically stem from the breakdown of self-tolerance mechanisms within immune cells. Therefore, the correct answer is a breakdown in immune cell self-tolerance mechanisms.

2. Which of the following nucleic acids carries the genetic information copied from DNA to the ribosomes?

• A. DNA
• B. mRNA
• C. rRNA
• D. tRNA

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: mRNA. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is responsible for carrying the genetic information copied from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis. mRNA serves as a temporary copy of the genetic instructions stored in DNA and acts as a messenger between the nucleus and ribosomes in the cytoplasm where protein synthesis occurs. While rRNA (ribosomal RNA) and tRNA (transfer RNA) play essential roles in the process of translation at the ribosomes, mRNA is the nucleic acid directly involved in carrying the genetic code for protein synthesis. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect as DNA is the original genetic material, rRNA is a component of the ribosomes, and tRNA carries amino acids during protein synthesis, respectively.

3. Which of the following constituents of blood is a biconcave disc that is round and flat without a nucleus?

• A. Plasma
• B. Platelet
• C. RBC
• D. WBC

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, RBC (Red Blood Cell). Red blood cells are biconcave discs that lack a nucleus, allowing them to carry oxygen efficiently. Plasma (A) is the liquid component of blood that carries various substances. Platelets (B) are cell fragments important for blood clotting. White blood cells (WBCs) (D) are part of the immune system and have a nucleus.

4. What is the function of the pleurae?

• A. To compartmentalize and lubricate the lungs
• B. To facilitate the flow of air
• C. To produce mucus
• D. To serve as the passageway for air

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The pleurae play a crucial role in compartmentalizing and lubricating the lungs. The pleura is a double-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity. This double-layered structure reduces friction between the lungs and the chest wall during breathing movements, allowing smooth expansion and contraction of the lungs. Options B, C, and D are incorrect. Option B, 'To facilitate the flow of air,' is incorrect because while the pleurae are involved in the respiratory process, their primary function is not to directly facilitate the flow of air. Option C, 'To produce mucus,' is incorrect as the production of mucus is not a primary function of the pleurae. Option D, 'To serve as the passageway for air,' is incorrect as the passageway for air refers to the air passages like the trachea and bronchi, not the pleurae. Therefore, option A is correct as it accurately describes the function of the pleurae.

5. Which statement most accurately compares and contrasts the structures of DNA and RNA?

• A. Both DNA and RNA have 4 nucleotide bases. Three of the bases are the same, but the fourth base is thymine in DNA and uracil in RNA.
• B. Both DNA and RNA have the same 4 nucleotide bases. However, the nucleotides bond differently in DNA compared to RNA.
• C. Both DNA and RNA have different numbers of nucleotide bases. DNA is a double helix while RNA is a single strand.
• D. Both DNA and RNA have a double helix structure. However, DNA contains 6 nucleotide bases and RNA contains 4 nucleotide bases.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because DNA and RNA both consist of 4 nucleotide bases, namely adenine, cytosine, and guanine, which are common in both. The key difference lies in the fourth base, which is thymine in DNA and uracil in RNA. This distinction is fundamental in understanding the structural variances between DNA and RNA. Choice B is incorrect as it incorrectly states that the nucleotides bond differently in DNA compared to RNA without specifying the crucial base differences. Choice C is inaccurate as it misrepresents the numbers of nucleotide bases in DNA and RNA, and incorrectly describes DNA as a double helix and RNA as a single strand, which is not related to the difference in bases. Choice D is incorrect as it inaccurately portrays DNA with 6 nucleotide bases and RNA with 4, which is not true; both DNA and RNA have 4 nucleotide bases, but with differences in one of the bases.

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