Nursing Elites

1. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine. What enzyme breaks down proteins into amino acids?

• A. Pepsin
• B. Lipase
• C. Amylase
• D. Trypsin

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Trypsin is the correct enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids. It is produced by the pancreas and released into the small intestine to facilitate protein digestion. Pepsin is an enzyme from the stomach that also breaks down proteins, amylase targets carbohydrates, and lipase works on fats. In this context, since the question specifies the pancreas and small intestine, the correct answer is Trypsin as it is the pancreatic enzyme responsible for protein breakdown in the small intestine.

2. Which of the following is not a component of blood?

• A. Red blood cells
• B. White blood cells
• C. Platelets
• D. Cartilage

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Cartilage. Cartilage is not a component of blood. Blood primarily consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen, white blood cells are part of the immune system, and platelets are essential for blood clotting. Cartilage, on the other hand, is a type of connective tissue found in various parts of the body, such as the joints and nose, but it is not present in the blood. Therefore, choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they are components of blood, while choice D, Cartilage, is the correct answer as it is not a component of blood.

3. What is the process by which a cell divides into two or more new cells?

• A. Mitosis
• B. Meiosis
• C. Both mitosis and meiosis
• D. None of the above

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Mitosis is the process by which a cell divides into two identical daughter cells. This type of cell division is essential for growth, repair, and maintenance of multicellular organisms. Meiosis, on the other hand, is a type of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells) with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Meiosis does not directly result in the formation of new cells, as it is specifically geared towards the production of reproductive cells. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Option C, stating both mitosis and meiosis, is incorrect because meiosis is not involved in the general process of cell division to produce new cells; it is specialized for gamete formation. Option D is incorrect because mitosis is indeed the process responsible for cell division in which one cell divides into two daughter cells, making it the accurate choice for this question.

4. The gradual change in a species over time is called:

• A. Adaptation
• B. Evolution
• C. Speciation
• D. Natural selection

Correct answer: B

Rationale: - Adaptation refers to the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment over time. While adaptation is a component of evolution, it specifically refers to the changes that help a species survive and reproduce in its environment. - Speciation is the process by which new species arise from a single ancestral species. It involves the evolution of reproductive isolation between populations. - Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the increase in frequency of those traits in a population. - Evolution is the gradual change in a species over time, encompassing all the processes such as adaptation, speciation, and natural selection that drive these changes.

5. Which hormone, produced by the pancreas, is released in response to low blood sugar levels and stimulates the release of glucose into the bloodstream?

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

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Glucagon is the hormone produced by the pancreas that is released in response to low blood sugar levels. It acts to stimulate the release of glucose into the bloodstream by promoting the breakdown of glycogen in the liver. Insulin, conversely, is released in response to high blood sugar levels and promotes the uptake of glucose by cells. Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates metabolism and the immune response. Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism but is not involved in responding to low blood sugar levels.

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