Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following basic mechanisms of evolution is described as the process where organisms with an advantageous trait survive more often and produce more offspring than organisms without the advantageous trait?

• A. gene flow
• B. genetic drift
• C. mutation
• D. natural selection

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Natural selection is the basic mechanism of evolution that explains how organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce in a given environment. This leads to the passing on of these favorable traits to their offspring, causing these traits to become more common in the population over time, resulting in evolutionary change. Natural selection is driven by environmental pressures that support the survival and reproduction of individuals with specific traits. Gene flow refers to the movement of genes between populations, genetic drift is the change in allele frequencies due to random events, and mutation is the source of genetic variation but is not the process by which advantageous traits become more prevalent in a population.

2. What is the first event to occur in a primary immune response?

• A. Macrophages phagocytose pathogens and present their antigens.
• B. Neutrophils aggregate and act as cytotoxic, nonspecific killers of pathogens.
• C. B lymphocytes make pathogen-specific antibodies.
• D. Helper T cells secrete interleukins to activate pathogen-fighting cells.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The initial event in a primary immune response is the phagocytosis of pathogens by macrophages and the subsequent presentation of their antigens, which is crucial for initiating the adaptive immune response. Neutrophils (Choice B) are also involved in the innate immune response, but they typically respond after macrophages. B lymphocytes (Choice C) produce antibodies later in the adaptive immune response, and Helper T cells (Choice D) help in coordinating the immune response but are not the first cells to act in a primary immune response.

3. What enzyme plays a key role in breaking down carbohydrates in the small intestine?

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

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Amylase is the enzyme responsible for breaking down carbohydrates in the small intestine. It specifically targets starches and sugars, breaking them down into smaller molecules like maltose and glucose that can be absorbed by the body. Pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach, not the small intestine. Lipase is responsible for breaking down fats, not carbohydrates. Trypsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins in the small intestine, not carbohydrates.

4. Which term refers to the condition where a muscle shortens in length while generating force, leading to movement at a joint?

• A. Isometric contraction
• B. Eccentric contraction
• C. Isotonic contraction
• D. Concentric contraction

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Concentric contraction refers to the condition where a muscle shortens in length while generating force, leading to movement at a joint. This type of contraction is commonly associated with the lifting phase of an exercise where the muscle is actively shortening against resistance. Isometric contraction (Choice A) involves muscle contraction without a change in muscle length, Eccentric contraction (Choice B) involves the muscle lengthening while generating force, and Isotonic contraction (Choice C) refers to muscle contraction against a constant load with a change in muscle length.

5. What is the primary function of the circulatory system?

• A. To regulate body temperature
• B. To transport oxygen and nutrients
• C. To fight infection
• D. To break down waste

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: To transport oxygen and nutrients. The primary function of the circulatory system is to deliver oxygen and essential nutrients to cells throughout the body and remove waste products like carbon dioxide. Choice A is incorrect as regulating body temperature is primarily the function of the body's thermoregulatory system. Choice C is incorrect as fighting infection is mainly the role of the immune system. Choice D is incorrect as breaking down waste is primarily handled by the digestive system.

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