Nursing Elites

1. Which color of light is least effective at driving photosynthesis?

• A. Violet
• B. Green
• C. Orange
• D. Red

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Green light is the least effective at driving photosynthesis because chlorophyll, the primary pigment responsible for absorbing light in plants, does not absorb green light well. Instead, chlorophyll absorbs more effectively in the blue and red regions of the light spectrum. Therefore, green light is relatively less efficient in promoting photosynthesis compared to violet, orange, and red light. Violet light, although at the shorter wavelength end of the spectrum, can still drive photosynthesis better than green light. Orange and red light are more efficiently absorbed by chlorophyll, making them more effective in driving the process of photosynthesis.

2. What is the primary function of the endoplasmic reticulum in a cell?

• A. Energy production
• B. Protein synthesis
• C. Waste removal
• D. Transport of materials

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The endoplasmic reticulum's primary function is the transport of materials within the cell. It acts as a network of membranes to assist in the transportation of proteins and other substances throughout the cell. Choice A, 'Energy production,' is incorrect because the endoplasmic reticulum is not directly involved in energy production. Choice B, 'Protein synthesis,' is incorrect as protein synthesis mainly occurs in ribosomes, although the endoplasmic reticulum is involved in modifying and transporting proteins. Choice C, 'Waste removal,' is also incorrect as waste removal is primarily handled by other organelles like lysosomes and peroxisomes.

3. What process do cells in the tip of a plant’s root undergo to increase in number?

• A. Meiosis
• B. Cytokinesis
• C. Fractioning
• D. Mitosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Cells in the tip of a plant's root undergo the process of mitosis to increase in number. Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. This process allows for growth and maintenance of tissues in plants by producing new cells through division. Choice A, Meiosis, is incorrect as meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in cells to produce gametes. Choice B, Cytokinesis, is incorrect as it is the division of the cytoplasm following cell division. Choice C, Fractioning, is not a biological process related to cell division.

4. What are plasma membranes mostly made of?

• A. Proteins
• B. Carbohydrates
• C. Lipids
• D. Nucleotides

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Lipids. Plasma membranes are primarily composed of lipids, specifically phospholipids, which form a lipid bilayer. While proteins are also an essential component of plasma membranes, they are not the primary constituent. Carbohydrates are present on the outer surface of the membrane but are not the main structural component. Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA and are not the main constituents of plasma membranes.

5. A cell is in a solution in which the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell than outside the cell. What would you expect to happen to the cell?

• A. It will swell and possibly burst.
• B. It will shrivel and shrink.
• C. It will maintain its current size.
• D. It will grow a supportive cell wall.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a cell is in a solution where the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell than outside, it is in a hypertonic environment. In this situation, water will move into the cell in an attempt to equalize the concentration of solutes on both sides of the cell membrane through the process of osmosis. As a result, the cell will swell as it takes in more water, potentially leading to bursting or cell lysis. Choice B is incorrect because a cell in a hypertonic solution will not shrivel and shrink due to water moving into the cell. Choice C is incorrect because the cell will not maintain its current size; it will swell. Choice D is incorrect because growing a supportive cell wall is not the immediate response to being in a hypertonic environment.

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