Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary function of tight junctions, specialized regions between animal cells?

• A. Communication between cells
• B. Anchorage between cells
• C. Selective passage of materials
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Selective passage of materials. Tight junctions act as specialized structures between animal cells that create a barrier to the passage of materials. Their primary function is to prevent the leakage of extracellular fluid and control the selective passage of molecules between cells. This selective control is crucial in regulating the movement of substances across cell layers. Tight junctions do not directly facilitate communication between cells or provide anchorage between cells, as their main role is to regulate the passage of materials. Choices A and B are incorrect as tight junctions do not primarily serve for communication or anchorage between cells.

2. What is the role of the pancreas in the digestive system?

• A. To store bile
• B. To secrete digestive enzymes
• C. To digest proteins
• D. To absorb nutrients

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To secrete digestive enzymes.' The pancreas plays a crucial role in the digestive system by secreting digestive enzymes that aid in breaking down food in the small intestine. These enzymes help in the digestion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, facilitating the absorption of nutrients from the digested food. Choice A is incorrect because the pancreas is not responsible for storing bile; the gallbladder stores bile. Choice C is incorrect because the pancreas secretes enzymes for protein digestion but does not digest proteins itself. Choice D is incorrect as the absorption of nutrients primarily occurs in the small intestine, not in the pancreas.

3. Which of the following describes a difference between cytosol and the mitochondrion?

• A. Cytosol is a membrane-bound organelle, but the mitochondrion is not
• B. Cytosol is part of the cytoplasm, but the mitochondrion is not
• C. The mitochondrion is a membrane-bound organelle, but cytosol is not
• D. The mitochondrion is part of the cytoplasm, but cytosol is not

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The mitochondrion is a membrane-bound organelle, while cytosol is the fluid part of the cytoplasm. This differentiation highlights that the mitochondrion has its own membrane structure separating it from the cytoplasm, whereas cytosol is not membrane-bound and represents the liquid portion of the cytoplasm. Choice A is incorrect because cytosol is not a membrane-bound organelle, and the mitochondrion is also not described accurately. Choice B is incorrect as cytosol is indeed part of the cytoplasm. Choice D is incorrect because both the mitochondrion and cytosol are part of the cytoplasm, but the mitochondrion is a membrane-bound organelle unlike cytosol.

4. How do spindle fiber dynamics and microtubule attachment regulate cell cycle checkpoints?

• A. Misaligned chromosomes fail to attach to microtubules, triggering a delay in anaphase onset.
• B. The presence of unattached kinetochores on the centromeres sends a signal to pause cell cycle progression.
• C. Microtubule instability and rapid depolymerization lead to the activation of checkpoint proteins.
• D. All of the above.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A) Misaligned chromosomes fail to attach to microtubules, triggering a delay in anaphase onset: Proper attachment of chromosomes to spindle fibers is essential for accurate segregation of genetic material during cell division. Misaligned chromosomes that fail to attach to microtubules can lead to delays in anaphase onset, allowing the cell to correct errors before proceeding with division. B) The presence of unattached kinetochores on the centromeres sends a signal to pause cell cycle progression: Kinetochores at the centromeres help attach chromosomes to spindle fibers. When kinetochores are unattached or improperly attached to microtubules, they signal the cell to pause cell cycle progression, ensuring proper chromosome alignment before division. C) Microtubule instability and rapid depolymerization lead to the activation of checkpoint proteins: While microtubule dynamics are crucial for cell division, microtubule instability and rapid depolymerization can disrupt chromosome attachment. However, this mechanism is not directly related to the activation of cell cycle checkpoint proteins, making this statement incorrect. Therefore, choices A and B accurately describe how spindle fiber dynamics and microtubule attachment regulate cell cycle checkpoints, making option D the correct answer.

5. What property of a substance refers to its ability to undergo a chemical change and form new substances?

• A. Density
• B. Mass
• C. Reactivity
• D. Volume

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Reactivity is the property of a substance that describes its ability to undergo a chemical change and form new substances. Density (A), mass (B), and volume (D) are physical properties of a substance and do not directly relate to its ability to undergo chemical changes. Density is the measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume, mass is the amount of matter in an object, and volume is the amount of space an object occupies. Therefore, reactivity (C) is the correct answer as it specifically addresses the substance's ability to undergo chemical changes.

Similar Questions