Nursing Elites

1. The number of protons in an atom determines its:

• A. Mass number
• B. Atomic number
• C. Atomic weight
• D. Valence electron count

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The number of protons in an atom is known as the atomic number. The atomic number uniquely identifies an element and determines its position on the periodic table. It is a fundamental property of an element and directly influences its chemical behavior and interactions. The mass number, on the other hand, is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom, not just protons. Atomic weight is the average mass of an element's isotopes considering their relative abundance, not solely based on the number of protons. Valence electron count refers to the number of electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom, influencing its ability to form bonds and participate in chemical reactions, but it is not determined by the number of protons in the atom.

2. When testing how quickly a rat dies based on the amount of poison it eats, which of the following is the independent variable and which is the dependent variable?

• A. How quickly the rat dies is the independent variable; the amount of poison is the dependent variable.
• B. The amount of poison is the independent variable; how quickly the rat dies is the dependent variable.
• C. Whether the rat eats the poison is the independent variable; how quickly the rat dies is the dependent variable.
• D. The cage the rat is kept in is the independent variable; the amount of poison is the dependent variable.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. In this experiment, the independent variable is the amount of poison because it is what is being manipulated by the researcher. The dependent variable is how quickly the rat dies, as it is the outcome that is being measured based on the different amounts of poison administered. Choice A is incorrect because the independent variable should be what is being manipulated or changed, which is the amount of poison in this case. Choice C is incorrect because whether the rat eats the poison is not being varied or controlled by the researcher. Choice D is incorrect because the cage the rat is kept in is not relevant to the relationship being studied between the amount of poison and the rat's survival time.

3. What structure in plant cells provides rigidity and support?

• A. Cell membrane
• B. Golgi apparatus
• C. Plastid
• D. Cell wall

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, the cell wall. The cell wall is the structure in plant cells that provides rigidity and support. It is a tough, rigid structure located outside the cell membrane. Composed primarily of cellulose, the cell wall offers structural support to the cell, helping it maintain its shape and protect it from damage. The other choices, such as the cell membrane (choice A), Golgi apparatus (choice B), and plastid (choice C) do not provide rigidity and support to plant cells. The cell membrane is a selectively permeable barrier, the Golgi apparatus is involved in processing and packaging proteins, and plastids are organelles responsible for functions like photosynthesis and storage, but they do not provide the structural support that the cell wall does.

4. What is the name for the hard, protective protein that makes up hair and nails?

• A. Collagen
• B. Keratin
• C. Elastin
• D. Fibrin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Keratin is the correct answer as it is the hard, protective protein that comprises hair and nails. Collagen is a different type of protein found in connective tissues, providing structure and support. Elastin imparts elasticity to tissues, allowing them to stretch and recoil. Fibrin is a protein involved in the blood clotting process and is not related to the structure of hair and nails. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect in the context of the question.

5. Which types of glial cells are in the PNS?

• A. Schwann cells, satellite cells
• B. Astrocytes, oligodendrocytes
• C. Microglia, ependymal cells
• D. Satellite cells, oligodendrocytes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, which includes Schwann cells and satellite cells as the types of glial cells found in the peripheral nervous system. Schwann cells support neurons and myelinate axons, while satellite cells provide structural support and regulate the microenvironment around neurons in the PNS. Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they refer to glial cell types that are typically found in the central nervous system, not the peripheral nervous system. Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are primarily located in the CNS, where they perform functions such as providing structural support and forming the blood-brain barrier. Microglia are immune cells found in the CNS responsible for immune defense and maintenance of neural environment, while ependymal cells line the cerebral ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord, contributing to the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.

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