Nursing Elites

1. Which part of the nervous system is responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response?

• A. Somatic nervous system
• B. Parasympathetic nervous system
• C. Sympathetic nervous system
• D. Enteric nervous system

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response, triggering the body's automatic response to a perceived threat or danger. This system initiates physiological changes like increased heart rate, dilated pupils, and the release of adrenaline, preparing the body to confront or escape the threat. The somatic nervous system (Choice A) controls voluntary movements, the parasympathetic nervous system (Choice B) is responsible for the 'rest and digest' response to promote relaxation and digestion, and the enteric nervous system (Choice D) regulates the gastrointestinal system. Therefore, they are not associated with the 'fight-or-flight' response.

2. What is the protective fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord called?

• A. Blood
• B. Cerebrospinal fluid
• C. Plasma
• D. Myelin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Cerebrospinal fluid is the protective fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It acts as a cushion to protect these vital organs from injury and provides nutrients to the nervous system. Blood, plasma, and myelin are not the fluids specifically surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Blood is found within blood vessels, plasma is the liquid component of blood, and myelin is a fatty substance that forms a protective sheath around nerve fibers.

3. Which of the following Mendelian laws describes how pairs of alleles within genes separate and recombine independently from other genes?

• A. law of segregation
• B. law of dominance
• C. law of independent assortment
• D. law of predictive traits

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The law of independent assortment describes how alleles of different genes segregate independently during gamete formation. This means that different gene pairs are passed on to offspring separately from one another, allowing for various combinations of traits. Gregor Mendel discovered this law, along with the law of segregation and the law of dominance, through his experiments with pea plants. The law of segregation (choice A) refers to how alleles of a gene separate during gamete formation, while the law of dominance (choice B) states that one allele can mask the presence of another in a heterozygous individual. The 'law of predictive traits' (choice D) is not a recognized Mendelian law and does not accurately describe the principles of genetic inheritance.

4. What is the primary source of energy entering most ecosystems?

• A. Chemical energy stored in bonds
• B. Thermal energy from the Earth's core
• C. Light energy from the sun
• D. Kinetic energy from wind and water

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In most ecosystems, the primary source of energy is sunlight. This energy is captured by plants and other photosynthetic organisms through the process of photosynthesis. These organisms convert light energy into chemical energy stored in the bonds of organic molecules, such as glucose. This stored chemical energy is then passed on to other organisms in the ecosystem through the food chain, making sunlight the fundamental source of energy for most ecosystems. Thermal energy from the Earth's core (option B) is not a primary source of energy for ecosystems, as it is not readily accessible to most organisms. Kinetic energy from wind and water (option D) can play a role in some ecosystems, but it is not the primary source of energy. Chemical energy stored in bonds (option A) is a form of energy that is ultimately derived from the sun through photosynthesis, making it a product of the primary energy source rather than the primary source itself.

5. Which hormone, produced by the thyroid gland, regulates calcium levels in the blood by enhancing calcium absorption in the intestines and reducing calcium loss in the kidneys?

• A. Calcitonin
• B. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
• C. Thyroxine
• D. Insulin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Calcitonin is the hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates calcium levels in the blood. It enhances calcium absorption in the intestines and reduces calcium loss in the kidneys. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) operates oppositely to calcitonin by increasing calcium levels in the blood. Thyroxine is a thyroid gland hormone that primarily regulates metabolism, not calcium levels. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, is responsible for controlling blood sugar levels, not calcium levels. Therefore, the correct answer is Calcitonin as it specifically targets calcium regulation in the body.

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