Nursing Elites

1. How do vaccines stimulate the immune system to develop memory without causing full-blown illness? What type of molecule in a vaccine typically triggers the immune response?

• A. Toxins produced by the pathogen
• B. Live, attenuated (weakened) forms of the pathogen
• C. Inactivated (dead) forms of the pathogen
• D. Antigens (specific molecules) from the pathogen

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Vaccines work by triggering the immune system to develop memory without causing illness. They typically contain antigens, which are specific molecules from the pathogen. These antigens stimulate the immune system to produce a targeted immune response without causing full-blown sickness. By presenting these antigens, vaccines help the immune system create memory cells that remember the pathogen. This memory allows the immune system to respond more effectively if it encounters the pathogen in the future. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because vaccines do not typically contain toxins, live pathogens, or inactivated forms of the pathogen. Instead, vaccines primarily rely on specific molecules (antigens) to induce an immune response.

2. Which of the following statements correctly describes the function of a physiological structure?

• A. The trachea connects the throat and the stomach.
• B. The esophagus joins the larynx with the lungs.
• C. The diaphragm controls the height of the thoracic cavity.
• D. The epiglottis covers the trachea during swallowing.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent food and liquids from entering the airway. This action helps direct food into the esophagus, ensuring proper passage into the digestive system and avoiding potential choking or aspiration into the lungs. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the trachea connects the larynx to the bronchi, the esophagus connects the throat to the stomach, and the diaphragm is a muscle that plays a vital role in breathing by separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities, aiding in respiration.

3. What are the three regions of the small intestine?

• A. Duodenum, ileum, jejunum
• B. Cecum, ileum, jejunum
• C. Duodenum, jejunum, ileum
• D. Duodenum, jejunum, colon

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Duodenum, jejunum, ileum. The small intestine is divided into three regions: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The duodenum is the initial segment where most chemical digestion takes place. The jejunum and ileum follow the duodenum and are primarily responsible for nutrient absorption. Choice A is incorrect because the order is incorrect. Choice B is incorrect because the cecum is part of the large intestine, not the small intestine. Choice D is incorrect because the colon is part of the large intestine, not the small intestine.

4. What is the importance of RNA splicing?

• A. Removes introns from the mRNA molecule
• B. Adds the poly-A tail to the mRNA molecule
• C. Activates the mRNA molecule for translation
• D. Modifies the structure of the protein

Correct answer: A

Rationale: RNA splicing is a crucial process in gene expression where non-coding regions called introns are removed from the pre-mRNA molecule, and the remaining coding regions called exons are joined together to form the mature mRNA molecule. This process ensures that only the protein-coding sequences are retained in the mRNA for translation, allowing for the production of functional proteins. Therefore, option A is the correct answer as it accurately describes the importance of RNA splicing in generating mature mRNA molecules for protein synthesis. B) Adding the poly-A tail to the mRNA molecule is a post-transcriptional modification that occurs after RNA splicing and is not directly related to the process of removing introns. C) Activating the mRNA molecule for translation is typically achieved through the addition of a 5' cap and the poly-A tail, rather than through RNA splicing. D) Modifying the structure of the protein is not directly related to the process of RNA splicing, which primarily focuses on mRNA maturation by removing non-coding introns.

5. Which respiratory structure is responsible for the production of mucus to trap particles and for the movement of cilia to sweep mucus and trapped particles out of the respiratory tract?

• A. Trachea
• B. Larynx
• C. Bronchi
• D. Respiratory epithelium

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The respiratory epithelium is the correct answer because it is the tissue lining the respiratory tract responsible for producing mucus to trap particles and containing cilia that sweep the mucus and trapped particles out of the respiratory tract. The trachea, larynx, and bronchi are all structures within the respiratory system but do not specifically carry out the functions described in the question. The trachea is a passage for air, the larynx is involved in sound production and protecting the airway, and the bronchi are airway passages that branch from the trachea to the lungs. Only the respiratory epithelium fits the description of producing mucus and utilizing cilia for particle removal in the respiratory tract.

Similar Questions