Nursing Elites

1. The average life expectancy at birth in the United States at the beginning of the 21st century was about 75 years. The average life expectancy at birth in the middle of the 19th century was only about 40 years. Which of the following factors are likely to have contributed to the longer life expectancy in the 21st century? (Select the one that does not apply)

• A. The human body has evolved to become more resilient to its environment.
• B. There have been numerous advances in medical technology and treatments.
• C. Higher standards of basic cleanliness have helped people avoid illness.
• D. The creation of vaccines has nearly eliminated certain diseases that were once deadly.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Medical advances, higher standards of cleanliness, and the creation of vaccines have all significantly contributed to the increase in life expectancy over time. While human evolution plays a role in adaptation to the environment over millennia, it is not a primary factor that has led to the substantial increase in life expectancy within a few centuries. The human body's evolution is a slow process that occurs over generations, while the advancements in medical technology, cleanliness, and vaccines have had a more immediate and direct impact on improving life expectancy.

2. Based on the following evidence, what is the most likely reason that spoiled food left out in the open often contains fly larvae?

• A. The spoiled food evolves into fly larvae.
• B. Since the food is left out in the open, flies lay eggs in the food.
• C. Fly larvae are spontaneously generated by the spoiled food.
• D. People only imagine they see fly larvae in the spoiled food.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Flies laying eggs in the food when it is left exposed to the air is a common occurrence and a logical explanation for the presence of fly larvae in spoiled food. Choice A is incorrect as food cannot evolve into fly larvae; fly larvae come from eggs laid by flies. Choice C is incorrect as fly larvae do not spontaneously generate from spoiled food but rather develop from eggs laid by flies. Choice D is incorrect as the presence of fly larvae in spoiled food is a real phenomenon, not merely imagined by people.

3. Nuclear fusion powers the sun and other stars. What is the main obstacle to achieving controlled nuclear fusion on Earth for energy production?

• A. Lack of suitable materials to handle high temperatures and pressures.
• B. Limited availability of fusion fuels like deuterium and tritium.
• C. Difficulty in containing the plasma where fusion occurs.
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The main obstacle to achieving controlled nuclear fusion on Earth for energy production involves a combination of factors. A) Lack of suitable materials to handle high temperatures and pressures is a significant challenge due to the extreme conditions required for fusion reactions. B) Limited availability of fusion fuels like deuterium and tritium can pose a constraint on the scalability and sustainability of fusion energy. C) Difficulty in containing the plasma where fusion occurs is another critical issue as plasma instabilities and heat losses can hinder the efficiency of fusion reactions. Therefore, all of the options (A, B, and C) contribute to the challenges in achieving controlled nuclear fusion for energy production on Earth.

4. What function do hydrophobic proteins often provide in the body?

• A. Digestive enzymes
• B. Provide structure
• C. Carry oxygen molecules
• D. Store energy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Hydrophobic proteins are known for their ability to repel water and are often involved in providing structural support in cells and tissues. They help maintain the structural integrity and shape of cell membranes, organelles, and other cellular components. Choice A, digestive enzymes, typically consist of hydrophilic proteins that interact with water and substrates to facilitate digestion. Choice C, carrying oxygen molecules, is a function commonly associated with specific proteins like hemoglobin. Choice D, storing energy, is usually performed by proteins like enzymes involved in energy storage and release, such as glycogen phosphorylase.

5. Which part of the spinal cord is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the body to the brain?

• A. Dorsal root
• B. Ventral root
• C. Gray matter
• D. White matter

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the dorsal root. The dorsal root of the spinal cord contains sensory nerve fibers that transmit sensory information from the body to the brain. This information includes touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception. The ventral root, on the other hand, contains motor nerve fibers responsible for carrying signals from the brain to the muscles and glands, controlling movement and glandular functions. Gray matter, consisting mainly of cell bodies, is involved in processing and integrating sensory and motor information within the spinal cord. White matter is primarily composed of myelinated axons that facilitate communication between different regions of the nervous system, allowing signals to travel efficiently within the spinal cord and between the brain and other parts of the body. Therefore, the dorsal root is specifically associated with transmitting sensory information, making it the correct answer in this context.

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