Nursing Elites

1. The adrenal cortex produces a group of steroid hormones called corticosteroids. What is a MAJOR function of corticosteroids?

• A. Regulate insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels
• B. Control blood pressure and electrolyte balance
• C. Stimulate the immune system and inflammatory response
• D. Promote growth and development during puberty

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Corticosteroids, produced by the adrenal cortex, primarily function to control blood pressure and electrolyte balance. One of the key corticosteroids, aldosterone, plays a crucial role in regulating sodium and potassium levels in the body. This regulation is essential for maintaining blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because corticosteroids do not primarily regulate insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels, stimulate the immune system and inflammatory response, or promote growth and development during puberty. While corticosteroids can have effects on insulin sensitivity, immune response, and growth, their major role is in maintaining blood pressure and electrolyte balance.

2. Which muscle is voluntary, striated, and found attached to bones?

• A. Smooth muscle
• B. Skeletal muscle
• C. Cardiac muscle
• D. Epithelial muscle

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, Skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is both voluntary and striated, as well as attached to bones, allowing for movement. Smooth muscle, on the other hand, is involuntary and typically found in the walls of internal organs, controlling functions like digestion. Cardiac muscle is also striated, but it is involuntary and specifically found in the heart, responsible for cardiac contractions to pump blood. 'Epithelial muscle' is an incorrect term; epithelial tissue is a type of tissue that forms the linings of various body surfaces and structures, not a muscle type.

3. A large geographic area characterized by similar climate, plants, and animals is called a:

• A. Population
• B. Community
• C. Biome
• D. Ecosystem

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Population refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area. B) Community refers to all the populations of different species living and interacting in a particular area. C) Biome is a large geographic area characterized by similar climate, plants, and animals. Biomes are defined by factors such as temperature, precipitation, and vegetation types. D) Ecosystem refers to a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment. An ecosystem can be part of a biome.

4. When ice melts, it undergoes a...

• A. Chemical change
• B. Physical change
• C. Nuclear change
• D. Radioactive decay

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When ice melts, it undergoes a physical change, transitioning from a solid state to a liquid state. This change does not involve altering the chemical composition of the ice, making it a physical change rather than a chemical change, nuclear change, or radioactive decay. Choice A, 'Chemical change,' is incorrect because a chemical change involves a rearrangement of atoms resulting in new substances. Choice C, 'Nuclear change,' is incorrect as it refers to changes in the nucleus of an atom, not the phase transition of ice. Choice D, 'Radioactive decay,' is incorrect as it involves the spontaneous disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus, which is not the process occurring when ice melts.

5. What is the primary function of ribosomes in the cell?

• A. To synthesize lipids and other cellular components
• B. To package and transport proteins
• C. To break down macromolecules
• D. To translate mRNA into proteins

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Ribosomes are cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis. They read the genetic information encoded in messenger RNA (mRNA) and use this information to assemble amino acids into a specific sequence, forming a protein. This process is known as translation and is essential for the production of proteins that carry out various functions in the cell. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the primary function of ribosomes. Choice A is incorrect because the synthesis of lipids and other cellular components is not the primary function of ribosomes. Choice B is incorrect as packaging and transporting proteins are functions typically associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Choice C is incorrect because ribosomes do not break down macromolecules; instead, they are involved in building proteins from amino acids.

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