Nursing Elites

1. Decomposers in an ecosystem play a vital role by:

• A. Photosynthesizing and producing organic matter
• B. Breaking down dead organisms and returning nutrients to the environment
• C. Preying on herbivores and controlling their populations
• D. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it available to plants

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler substances. By doing so, they help to recycle nutrients back into the environment, making them available for other organisms to use. This process is essential for the functioning of ecosystems, as it ensures that nutrients are not lost but instead are continuously cycled through the ecosystem. Photosynthesis (option A) is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, and it is not a role of decomposers. Preying on herbivores (option C) is a role typically carried out by predators, not decomposers. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere (option D) is a process carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria, not decomposers.

2. Which of the following describes a difference between cytosol and the mitochondrion?

• A. Cytosol is a membrane-bound organelle, but the mitochondrion is not
• B. Cytosol is part of the cytoplasm, but the mitochondrion is not
• C. The mitochondrion is a membrane-bound organelle, but cytosol is not
• D. The mitochondrion is part of the cytoplasm, but cytosol is not

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The mitochondrion is a membrane-bound organelle, while cytosol is the fluid part of the cytoplasm. This differentiation highlights that the mitochondrion has its own membrane structure separating it from the cytoplasm, whereas cytosol is not membrane-bound and represents the liquid portion of the cytoplasm. Choice A is incorrect because cytosol is not a membrane-bound organelle, and the mitochondrion is also not described accurately. Choice B is incorrect as cytosol is indeed part of the cytoplasm. Choice D is incorrect because both the mitochondrion and cytosol are part of the cytoplasm, but the mitochondrion is a membrane-bound organelle unlike cytosol.

3. Which hormones are responsible for stimulating the development of sex organs and secondary sex characteristics during puberty?

• A. Growth hormone
• B. Testosterone (in males) and Estrogen (in females)
• C. Insulin
• D. Thyroid hormone

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Testosterone and estrogen are the primary sex hormones responsible for the development of male and female sex organs, respectively, and the emergence of secondary sex characteristics during puberty. Growth hormone, insulin, and thyroid hormone do not directly influence the development of sex organs and secondary sex characteristics during puberty. Growth hormone primarily regulates growth and metabolism, insulin regulates blood sugar levels, and thyroid hormone controls metabolism and energy levels. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect for this question.

4. Which process is characterized by nuclear fission?

• A. A heavy nucleus capturing a neutron and releasing energy
• B. The fusion of two nuclei to form a heavier element
• C. A lighter element emitting an alpha particle through radioactive decay
• D. An electron being absorbed by the nucleus with the release of a gamma ray

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Nuclear fission is the process where a heavy nucleus, like uranium-235, captures a neutron, leading to its division into two lighter nuclei. This process releases a substantial amount of energy in the form of heat and gamma rays. It is utilized in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs due to its capacity to produce significant energy. Choices B, C, and D describe different nuclear processes: fusion of two nuclei to form a heavier element, emission of alpha particles from a lighter element through radioactive decay, and absorption of an electron by the nucleus with the release of a gamma ray, respectively. These processes are distinct from nuclear fission and do not involve the splitting of heavy nuclei into lighter ones.

5. Imagine you have an element with atomic number 20 and mass number 40. How many neutrons does it have?

• A. 20
• B. 40
• C. 10
• D. 20

Correct answer: C

Rationale: - The atomic number (Z) represents the number of protons in an atom. In this case, the atomic number is 20. - The mass number (A) represents the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom. In this case, the mass number is 40. - To find the number of neutrons, you subtract the atomic number from the mass number: Neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number. - Neutrons = 40 - 20 = 20. - Therefore, the element with atomic number 20 and mass number 40 has 20 neutrons.

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