Nursing Elites

1. The liver plays a vital role in digestion. What is one of the main functions of the liver in the digestive system?

• A. Physical breakdown of food
• B. Production of digestive enzymes
• C. Storage and processing of nutrients
• D. Elimination of waste products

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Storage and processing of nutrients. The liver plays a crucial role in processing nutrients absorbed from the small intestine, storing glycogen, vitamins, and minerals, and regulating blood sugar levels by releasing or storing glucose as needed. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the physical breakdown of food primarily occurs in the mouth and stomach, the production of digestive enzymes is mainly carried out by the pancreas and small intestine, and the elimination of waste products is primarily managed by the large intestine and kidneys, not the liver.

2. Which of the following describes the term allele?

• A. A specific form of a gene that can exist at a particular locus
• B. An inheritable variation of a gene
• C. A grouping of various genes
• D. Variations of complementary base pairs

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Alleles are different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus. They represent variations of a gene and are inheritable. Choice A is incorrect as it does not fully capture the concept of an allele, which is a specific form of a gene rather than a substitution. Choice C is incorrect as alleles are not a grouping of various genes but rather different forms of a single gene at a specific locus. Choice D is also incorrect as it does not accurately describe alleles; alleles are variations of genes, not base pairs.

3. What is the electrical charge of the nucleus?

• A. A nucleus always has a positive charge.
• B. A stable nucleus has a positive charge, but a radioactive nucleus may have no charge and instead be neutral.
• C. A nucleus always has no charge and is instead neutral.
• D. A stable nucleus has no charge and is instead neutral, but a radioactive nucleus may have a charge.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A nucleus always has a positive charge. This is because the nucleus is composed of positively charged protons, along with neutral neutrons. The positive charge of the protons is balanced by the negative charge of the surrounding electrons in an atom, resulting in an overall neutral charge for the atom as a whole. Therefore, choice A is correct as it accurately reflects the positive charge of the nucleus due to the presence of protons. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately represent the fundamental composition and charge distribution within an atom's nucleus. A stable nucleus consists of positively charged protons and neutral neutrons, leading to an overall positive charge, and not a neutral charge as suggested in the incorrect choices.

4. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. What is its primary function?

• A. Regulate blood pressure
• B. Stimulate the digestive system
• C. Control sleep-wake cycles
• D. Maintain bone density

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Melatonin is primarily known for its role in controlling sleep-wake cycles. It is produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness, helping signal the body that it is time to sleep. Melatonin levels typically rise in the evening and stay elevated throughout the night, promoting sleep. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as melatonin's primary function is not to regulate blood pressure, stimulate the digestive system, or maintain bone density. While melatonin may have some indirect effects on these functions, its main role lies in regulating the circadian rhythm and promoting a restful sleep cycle.

5. During which phase of the cardiac cycle do the atria contract, pushing blood into the ventricles?

• A. Atrial diastole
• B. Ventricular systole
• C. Atrial systole
• D. Ventricular diastole

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Atrial systole is the phase of the cardiac cycle during which the atria contract, pushing blood into the ventricles. This occurs after the atria have been filled during atrial diastole. Ventricular systole refers to the phase when the ventricles contract to push blood out of the heart, not when the atria contract. Ventricular diastole is the phase when the ventricles relax and fill with blood, not when the atria contract. Therefore, the correct answer is atrial systole as it specifically describes the atrial contraction phase.

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