Nursing Elites

1. Which organ produces insulin, a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels?

• A. Parathyroid gland
• B. Pancreas
• C. Thymus gland
• D. Ovaries

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Beta cells located in the islets of Langerhans within the pancreas are responsible for insulin production. Insulin plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by promoting the uptake of glucose into cells, thereby maintaining blood sugar levels within a normal range. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the parathyroid gland is primarily involved in regulating calcium levels, the thymus gland is involved in immune function, and the ovaries are involved in reproductive functions, not insulin production for blood sugar regulation.

2. Where does the nerve impulses send neurotransmitters across a synapse to a muscle cell to stimulate muscle contraction?

• A. sarcomere
• B. tendon
• C. myelin sheath
• D. neuromuscular junction

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The neuromuscular junction is the specific area where nerve impulses trigger the release of neurotransmitters that cross the synaptic gap to bind to receptors on the muscle cell membrane. This binding initiates muscle contraction by stimulating the muscle cell. The sarcomere is the basic contractile unit in a muscle fiber, not the location where nerve impulses communicate with muscle cells. Tendons are connective tissues that attach muscles to bones and are not involved in transmitting nerve impulses. The myelin sheath is a protective covering around nerve fibers but is not directly involved in transmitting neurotransmitters to muscle cells for muscle contraction.

3. In an experiment where five tropical plants are kept at varying humidity levels in a greenhouse for three months, while one plant is left outside in normal conditions, with plant height measured weekly, what serves as the control of the experiment?

• A. Plant height for each tropical plant
• B. The plant left outside in normal conditions
• C. Humidity level readings in the greenhouse
• D. Amount of time used to study plant height

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The plant left outside in normal conditions acts as the control in the experiment. It provides a standard reference point for comparison to assess the impact of the varying humidity levels on the growth of the tropical plants. Choice A is incorrect because it refers to the dependent variable being measured, not the control. Choice C is incorrect as humidity levels in the greenhouse are part of the experimental conditions, not the control. Choice D is incorrect as the time used for studying plant height is a parameter of the experiment and not the control.

4. During antibiotic use, bacteria can evolve resistance. This is an example of:

• A. Coevolution (two species influencing each other's evolution)
• B. Convergent evolution (unrelated organisms evolving similar traits)
• C. Macroevolution (large-scale evolutionary change)
• D. Artificial selection acting on a natural process

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The process of bacteria evolving resistance to antibiotics due to the selective pressure exerted by the antibiotics is an example of artificial selection (human intervention selecting for certain traits) acting on a natural process (bacterial evolution). Antibiotic use creates a selective pressure that favors the survival and reproduction of bacteria with resistance traits, leading to the evolution of antibiotic-resistant strains. - Coevolution (option A) refers to the influence of two species on each other's evolution, which is not the case in the scenario described in the question. - Convergent evolution (option B) involves unrelated organisms evolving similar traits due to similar environmental pressures, which is not directly applicable to the situation of bacteria evolving resistance to antibiotics. - Macroevolution (option C) refers to large-scale evolutionary changes over long periods, which is not specifically demonstrated in the context of bacteria evolving resistance during antibiotic use.

5. What is the function of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)?

• A. Carries amino acids to the ribosomes
• B. Reads the genetic code on mRNA
• C. Forms the structural framework of ribosomes
• D. Controls the rate of protein synthesis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) plays a crucial role in forming the structural framework of ribosomes. Ribosomes are the cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis and consist of both protein and rRNA components. The primary function of rRNA is to provide the structural support necessary for ribosomes to function properly. This structural framework allows the ribosome to interact with messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) during translation, where genetic information encoded in mRNA is used to assemble proteins from amino acids. Therefore, rRNA's main role is in contributing to the structure and function of ribosomes, rather than directly carrying amino acids, reading the genetic code, or controlling the rate of protein synthesis. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because rRNA does not carry amino acids to the ribosomes (tRNA does this), read the genetic code (this is the role of ribosomes and tRNA), or control the rate of protein synthesis (this is regulated by various factors but not directly by rRNA).

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