Nursing Elites

1. Sebaceous glands, located in the dermis, secrete an oily substance called:

• A. Sweat
• B. Sebum
• C. Cerumen
• D. Mucus

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Sebaceous glands are responsible for secreting an oily substance called sebum, not sweat, cerumen, or mucus. Sebum plays a vital role in lubricating and waterproofing the skin and hair, preventing them from drying out. Sweat glands produce sweat to regulate body temperature. Cerumen is the medical term for earwax, produced by ceruminous glands in the ear canal, while mucus is a slimy substance that protects and lubricates body tissues. Therefore, the correct answer is B: Sebum, as it is the oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands.

2. What information can be obtained from the mass number of an element?

• A. The number of protons in the nucleus
• B. The total number of protons and neutrons
• C. The number of electrons in the valence shell
• D. The element's chemical reactivity

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The mass number of an element represents the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. This information is crucial for determining the atomic mass of the element and understanding its stability and isotopes. The number of protons in the nucleus (option A) is represented by the atomic number, not the mass number. The number of electrons in the valence shell (option C) is related to the element's position in the periodic table and its chemical properties, but it is not directly determined by the mass number. The element's chemical reactivity (option D) is influenced by the number and arrangement of electrons in the atom's energy levels, not by the mass number.

3. Which of the following water-soluble vitamins is NOT synthesized in the large intestine?

• A. B6
• B. Biotin
• C. Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5)
• D. Vitamin K

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: B6. Vitamin B6 is not synthesized in the large intestine, while biotin, pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5), and Vitamin K can be synthesized by gut microflora. Biotin, B5, and K are examples of water-soluble vitamins that can be produced in the large intestine, but B6 needs to be obtained through dietary sources. Therefore, B6 is the correct answer as it is not synthesized within the large intestine, unlike the other options.

4. Which hormone regulates the sleep-wake cycle?

• A. Cortisol
• B. Melatonin
• C. Thyroxine
• D. Insulin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Melatonin. Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland, is the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It helps signal to the body when it's time to sleep and wake up, playing a crucial role in maintaining a healthy sleep pattern. Choice A, Cortisol, is known as the stress hormone and plays a role in the body's response to stress, not specifically in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Choice C, Thyroxine, is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism, not the sleep-wake cycle. Choice D, Insulin, is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels, not the sleep-wake cycle.

5. Melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, is produced by

• A. Keratinocytes (These cells produce keratin)
• B. Melanocytes
• C. Sebocytes (These cells produce sebum)
• D. Langerhans cells (These cells are part of the immune system)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Melanocytes are the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that determines skin color. Melanin gives skin its color and protects it from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Keratinocytes produce keratin, a tough protein that forms the outer layer of the skin, hair, and nails. Sebocytes produce sebum, an oily substance that helps moisturize and protect the skin. Langerhans cells are a type of immune cell found in the skin that play a role in protecting against infections and foreign substances but do not produce melanin.

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