Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following describes the general function of cytokines in the immune system?

• A. They communicate between cells to instigate an immune response.
• B. They inhibit blood clotting during inflammation responses.
• C. They bind to specific pathogens to increase pathogen mass.
• D. They transport pathogens trapped in mucus to be destroyed in the stomach.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'They communicate between cells to instigate an immune response.' Cytokines are signaling molecules that act as messengers between cells in the immune system, playing a vital role in coordinating and regulating immune responses. They communicate with various immune cells to initiate appropriate responses against pathogens. Choice B is incorrect because cytokines do not inhibit blood clotting but rather regulate immune responses. Choice C is incorrect as cytokines do not bind to specific pathogens to increase their mass; instead, they regulate the immune response. Choice D is also incorrect because cytokines do not transport pathogens trapped in mucus to the stomach for destruction; they primarily function as signaling molecules within the immune system.

2. What structure in plant cells provides rigidity and support?

• A. Cell membrane
• B. Golgi apparatus
• C. Plastid
• D. Cell wall

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, the cell wall. The cell wall is the structure in plant cells that provides rigidity and support. It is a tough, rigid structure located outside the cell membrane. Composed primarily of cellulose, the cell wall offers structural support to the cell, helping it maintain its shape and protect it from damage. The other choices, such as the cell membrane (choice A), Golgi apparatus (choice B), and plastid (choice C) do not provide rigidity and support to plant cells. The cell membrane is a selectively permeable barrier, the Golgi apparatus is involved in processing and packaging proteins, and plastids are organelles responsible for functions like photosynthesis and storage, but they do not provide the structural support that the cell wall does.

3. Which of the following is NOT a component of the genitourinary system?

• A. The kidneys
• B. The urethra
• C. The rectum
• D. The bladder

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The rectum is part of the digestive system, not the genitourinary system. The genitourinary system comprises organs involved in reproduction and urine formation and excretion, such as the kidneys, urethra, and bladder. Choices A, B, and D are all components of the genitourinary system. The kidneys filter blood and produce urine, the urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body, and the bladder stores urine before it is excreted.

4. Which bones are included in the axial skeleton?

• A. Head, neck, and trunk
• B. Arms and legs
• C. Hands and feet
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Head, neck, and trunk. The axial skeleton comprises bones located in the head, neck, and trunk region, such as the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage. These bones provide structural support and protect vital organs like the brain, spinal cord, and heart. Choices B and C are incorrect because arms, legs, hands, and feet are part of the appendicular skeleton, not the axial skeleton. The appendicular skeleton is responsible for movement, manipulation, and mobility, while the axial skeleton primarily provides central support and protection for essential organs.

5. Adaptive radiation refers to the evolutionary process where:

• A. A single ancestral species diversifies into multiple descendant species due to ecological pressures in a heterogeneous environment.
• B. Two unrelated species evolve similar adaptations in response to similar environments, leading to convergent evolution.
• C. A population becomes increasingly well-adapted to its current environment through continued natural selection.
• D. The fossil record exhibits gaps or missing links in the evolutionary history of a lineage.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: - Adaptive radiation is a process where a single ancestral species diversifies into multiple descendant species to exploit different ecological niches within a heterogeneous environment. - This diversification occurs due to the different selective pressures present in various habitats, leading to the evolution of distinct traits and adaptations in different descendant species. - Option A accurately describes the process of adaptive radiation, where the initial species undergoes rapid speciation to occupy different ecological roles and adapt to diverse environmental conditions. - Options B, C, and D do not accurately describe adaptive radiation but refer to other evolutionary processes such as convergent evolution, natural selection, and gaps in the fossil record, respectively.

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