Nursing Elites

1. How many neurons typically comprise a sensory pathway?

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 4

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A sensory pathway generally consists of three neurons: a first-order neuron, a second-order neuron, and a third-order neuron. The first-order neuron carries sensory information from the periphery to the spinal cord or brainstem. The second-order neuron then transmits this information to the thalamus or cerebellum. Finally, the third-order neuron projects the sensory input to the cerebral cortex for processing and perception. Therefore, the correct answer is 3 (C). Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the typical structure of a sensory pathway involving three neurons.

2. Which type of waves require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate?

• A. Transverse waves
• B. Longitudinal waves
• C. Electromagnetic waves
• D. Surface waves

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Longitudinal waves require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate because the particles in the medium move parallel to the direction of the wave. As a result, they rely on the medium for transmission. Transverse waves, on the contrary, do not need a medium and can travel through a vacuum, making choice A incorrect. Electromagnetic waves, represented by choice C, do not require a medium as they consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that can propagate through a vacuum. Surface waves, the option in D, involve a combination of both longitudinal and transverse motion and do require a medium to travel, but longitudinal waves are the ones that strictly depend on a medium for propagation.

3. Which of the following is a special property of water?

• A. Water does not easily flow through phospholipid bilayers.
• B. A water molecule's oxygen atom does not allow fish to breathe.
• C. Water is highly cohesive, which explains its high melting point.
• D. Water cannot self-hydrolyze and decompose into hydrogen and oxygen.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Water is highly cohesive, meaning it is attracted to itself due to its hydrogen bonding properties. This cohesion is the reason why water has a high melting point compared to other liquids of similar molecular weight. It is crucial for the existence of life on Earth as it allows water to remain a liquid within a wide range of temperatures, providing a stable environment for biological processes to occur. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Water's cohesive property does not directly relate to its ability to flow through phospholipid bilayers, assist fish in breathing, or self-hydrolyze into hydrogen and oxygen.

4. Four different groups of the same species of peas are grown and exposed to differing levels of sunlight, water, and fertilizer as documented in the table below. The data in the water and fertilizer columns indicate how many times the peas are watered or fertilized per week, respectively. Group 2 is the only group that withered. What is a reasonable explanation for this occurrence? Group Sunlight Water Fertilizer 1 partial sun 4 mL/hr 1 2 full sun 7 mL/hr 1 3 no sun 14 mL/hr 2 4 partial sun 3 mL/hr 2

• A. Insects gnawed away at the stem of the plant.
• B. The roots rotted due to poor drainage.
• C. The soil type had nutritional deficiencies.
• D. This species of peas does not thrive in full sunlight.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Group 2, the only group that withered, was exposed to full sun. This suggests that the species of peas being studied does not thrive in full sunlight, leading to its deterioration compared to the other groups with different light exposures. Choices A, B, and C are not the correct explanations for the withering of Group 2. There is no mention of insects in the stem, poor drainage, or soil nutritional deficiencies in the scenario provided. The key factor that sets Group 2 apart from the others is the full sunlight exposure, indicating that the species of peas is not suited for such conditions.

5. What is the primary function of the digestive system?

• A. To break down food into nutrients
• B. To absorb oxygen
• C. To produce energy
• D. To regulate body temperature

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'To break down food into nutrients.' The primary function of the digestive system is to break down food into nutrients that can be absorbed by the body for energy, growth, and repair. The digestive system is not responsible for absorbing oxygen (Choice B), as that is the role of the respiratory system. While the digestion process does release energy from nutrients, the primary function is not to produce energy (Choice C), but rather to extract nutrients for energy production. Regulating body temperature (Choice D) is primarily handled by the thermoregulatory mechanisms in the body, such as the skin and sweat glands, not the digestive system.

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