Nursing Elites

1. Who is credited with the discovery of nuclear fission?

• A. Marie Curie
• B. Albert Einstein
• C. Enrico Fermi
• D. Ernest Rutherford

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Enrico Fermi is credited with the discovery of nuclear fission. In 1934, Fermi bombarded uranium with neutrons, leading to the splitting of the uranium nucleus and the release of energy. This groundbreaking discovery laid the foundation for the development of nuclear power and weapons. Marie Curie is known for her pioneering research on radioactivity, but she did not discover nuclear fission. Albert Einstein made significant contributions to physics, including the theory of relativity, but he was not credited with the discovery of nuclear fission. Ernest Rutherford conducted the famous gold foil experiment and made contributions to the understanding of the atom's structure, but he did not discover nuclear fission.

2. What is the purpose of the periosteum, the tough outer layer of bone?

• A. Produces red blood cells
• B. Provides protection and nourishment to bone
• C. Forms the joint surface
• D. Stores minerals

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The periosteum, the tough outer layer of bone, serves the purpose of providing protection to the bone and nourishing it through the blood vessels it contains. It acts as a protective layer for the bone structures. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the periosteum does not produce red blood cells (which is the function of bone marrow), form joint surfaces (which is typically the role of articular cartilage), or store minerals (which is primarily done by bone tissue itself and not the periosteum).

3. Which of the following is NOT a recognized mode of natural selection?

• A. Directional selection (favoring one extreme trait value on a spectrum)
• B. Disruptive selection (favoring both extreme trait values on a spectrum)
• C. Stabilizing selection (favoring the average trait value on a spectrum)
• D. Sexual selection (selection based on mate choice that influences reproductive success)

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A) Directional selection is a recognized mode of natural selection where one extreme trait value on a spectrum is favored over others, leading to a shift in the average trait value over time. B) Disruptive selection is a recognized mode of natural selection where both extreme trait values on a spectrum are favored over the average trait value, potentially causing the population to split into distinct groups. C) Stabilizing selection is a recognized mode of natural selection favoring the average trait value on a spectrum over extreme values, resulting in reduced genetic diversity. D) Sexual selection differs from traditional natural selection modes as it involves mate choice and competition for mates, not direct selection pressure on traits affecting survival and reproduction in the environment. Sexual selection can drive the evolution of traits enhancing an individual's attractiveness for mating purposes.

4. What term describes the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings?

• A. Reflection
• B. Refraction
• C. Diffraction
• D. Absorption

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Diffraction. Diffraction is the phenomenon that explains the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings. When waves encounter obstacles or pass through openings, they spread out and bend around them. Reflection (Choice A) involves waves bouncing back when they encounter a surface without bending, refraction (Choice B) is the bending of waves when passing from one medium to another due to a change in speed, and absorption (Choice D) is the process of a wave being taken in by a material rather than bending or bouncing.

5. When an atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes a(n):

• A. Molecule
• B. Isotope
• C. Ion
• D. Compound

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When an atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes an ion. Gaining or losing electrons alters the atom's electron count and charge, creating a positively or negatively charged ion. A molecule is formed when two or more atoms are chemically bonded. An isotope is a variation of an element with a different number of neutrons. A compound consists of two or more different elements chemically bonded together.

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