Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary function of platelets in the blood?

• A. To carry oxygen
• B. To clot blood
• C. To fight infection
• D. To transport nutrients

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To clot blood.' Platelets play a crucial role in the clotting process, forming a plug at the site of blood vessel injury to prevent excessive bleeding. While red blood cells carry oxygen, white blood cells fight infection, and nutrients are transported by plasma, platelets are specifically responsible for blood clotting. Choice A is incorrect because red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen. Choice C is incorrect because white blood cells are primarily involved in fighting infection. Choice D is incorrect as the transport of nutrients is mainly carried out by plasma, not platelets.

2. Where does most of the chemical digestion take place?

• A. Large intestine
• B. Stomach
• C. Small intestine
• D. Esophagus

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Most of the chemical digestion occurs in the small intestine. Enzymes in the small intestine break down nutrients into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body. The stomach plays a role in digestion by breaking down food mechanically and initiating some chemical digestion, but the majority of nutrient breakdown and absorption happens in the small intestine. The large intestine mainly absorbs water and salts, with little to no digestion taking place there. The esophagus is a muscular tube that helps move food from the mouth to the stomach and does not participate in digestion.

3. How do hydrogen bonds in water affect its characteristics?

• A. Hydrogen bonds are not polar enough to attract non-polar molecules.
• B. Hydrogen bonds cause water to be less dense when it is a solid than when it is a liquid.
• C. Hydrogen bonds cause water to have high surface tension, allowing some organisms to move across it.
• D. Hydrogen bonds cause water to be a good solvent.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Hydrogen bonds in water contribute to its high surface tension, enabling some organisms to move across the water's surface. This property is essential for certain insects and small animals that rely on surface tension to move or stay afloat on water. Choice A is incorrect because hydrogen bonds are polar and can attract polar and other charged molecules. Choice B is incorrect as hydrogen bonds make ice less dense than liquid water, which is a unique property. Choice D is incorrect as the ability of water to act as a good solvent is primarily due to its polarity, not just hydrogen bonding.

4. Homologous structures are those that:

• A. Have the same function but different origins
• B. Have different functions but the same origin
• C. Are similar in appearance and function due to shared ancestry
• D. Are identical in both appearance and function

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Homologous structures are defined as anatomical features that are similar in appearance and function due to shared ancestry. This means that these structures are inherited from a common ancestor and may have evolved to fulfill different functions in different species. Option A, which mentions structures with the same function but different origins, describes analogous structures, not homologous ones. Option B, which refers to structures with different functions but the same origin, actually characterizes vestigial structures. Option D, stating that structures are identical in appearance and function, does not necessarily imply homology; such structures could result from convergent evolution rather than shared ancestry. Understanding homologous structures provides insights into the evolutionary relationships between different species and supports the concept of common descent.

5. Which property of a substance describes how much matter is packed into a given space?

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

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Density is the property of a substance that describes how much matter is packed into a given space. It is calculated by dividing the mass of the substance by its volume. Mass refers to the amount of matter in an object, volume is the amount of space an object occupies, and weight is the force of gravity acting on an object's mass. Density specifically relates to how tightly packed the particles of a substance are. In this context, density is the most appropriate answer as it directly addresses how matter is packed into a given space. Mass and weight are related to the quantity of matter and the force of gravity, respectively, but do not directly describe the compactness of matter in a given space. Volume, on the other hand, refers to the space occupied by an object, not the amount of matter packed into that space.

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