Nursing Elites

1. After the Industrial Revolution, the population of peppered moths in England shifted towards more dark moths. This is an example of:

• A. Artificial selection (selective breeding by humans for desired traits)
• B. Natural selection acting on pre-existing variation
• C. Punctuated equilibrium (rapid bursts of evolution)
• D. Lamarckism (inheritance of acquired characteristics)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The shift in the peppered moth population towards more dark moths in England after the Industrial Revolution exemplifies natural selection acting on pre-existing variation. Initially, light-colored moths were well-camouflaged against lichen-covered tree trunks, but with industrial pollution darkening the tree trunks, dark-colored moths gained a survival advantage. This change reflects how the environment favored dark moths over light ones, illustrating natural selection. The process illustrates how organisms with traits advantageous in a changing environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the prevalence of those traits in the population over time. The choices of artificial selection (A), punctuated equilibrium (C), and Lamarckism (D) are not applicable in this scenario. Artificial selection involves intentional breeding by humans, punctuated equilibrium refers to rapid bursts of evolution followed by periods of stability, and Lamarckism suggests the inheritance of acquired characteristics, none of which align with the observed shift in moth populations based on environmental changes.

2. What is the cellular function of cilia and flagella?

• A. Cilia and flagella are responsible for cell movement.
• B. Cilia and flagella synthesize proteins.
• C. Cilia and flagella help protect the cell from its environment.
• D. Cilia and flagella have enzymes that help with digestion.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cilia and flagella are responsible for cell movement. Cilia and flagella are specialized structures found on the surface of many types of cells. They are involved in the movement of the cell itself or in moving substances around the cell. This movement helps in various functions such as propulsion, moving fluids, and sensing the environment. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Cilia and flagella are not involved in synthesizing proteins, protecting the cell from its environment, or aiding in digestion. Their primary function is related to cell movement and cellular transport.

3. Which of the following structures in the respiratory system is responsible for gas exchange?

• A. Trachea
• B. Alveoli
• C. Bronchi
• D. Diaphragm

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Alveoli. The alveoli in the lungs are responsible for gas exchange. They have a thin membrane that allows for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air in the lungs and the blood in the capillaries surrounding them. This process is essential for respiration, providing oxygen to the body's tissues and removing carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. The trachea is a passageway that carries air to and from the lungs but is not directly involved in gas exchange. Bronchi are airway passages that further divide into smaller bronchioles leading to the alveoli but do not perform gas exchange themselves. The diaphragm is a muscle involved in the breathing process by aiding in inhalation and exhalation, but it is not the structure responsible for gas exchange in the respiratory system.

4. What is the basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system?

• A. Axon
• B. Neuron
• C. Dendrite
• D. Synapse

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Neuron. Neurons are indeed the basic structural and functional units of the nervous system. Neurons are specialized cells that transmit signals throughout the nervous system, enabling communication and coordination of various functions within the body. While axons, dendrites, and synapses are all essential components of neurons and neural function, the neuron as a whole is considered the fundamental building block responsible for signal transmission. Choice A, Axon, is incorrect because an axon is a part of a neuron responsible for transmitting electrical signals away from the cell body. Choice C, Dendrite, is incorrect because dendrites are extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons. Choice D, Synapse, is incorrect because a synapse is the junction between two neurons where signals are transmitted.

5. The adaptive immune system develops a targeted response to specific pathogens. What type of immune cell is responsible for producing antibodies?

• A. Natural killer cells
• B. Phagocytes
• C. Helper T cells
• D. B cells

Correct answer: D

Rationale: B cells are responsible for producing antibodies as part of the adaptive immune response. When activated by a specific antigen, B cells differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies to target and neutralize pathogens. Natural killer cells are primarily involved in killing infected or cancerous cells, phagocytes engulf pathogens, and helper T cells assist in activating other immune cells. Therefore, the correct answer is B cells because they play a crucial role in antibody production, a key component of the adaptive immune response.

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