Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following enzymes unwinds the double-stranded DNA during replication?

• A. Helicase
• B. Ligase
• C. Nuclease
• D. Polymerase

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Helicase is the enzyme responsible for unwinding the double-stranded DNA during replication by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs. This process creates the replication fork where DNA polymerase can then synthesize new DNA strands. Ligase functions to join Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand, not unwind DNA. Nuclease is involved in DNA repair by removing damaged DNA segments. Polymerase is responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands based on the existing template strands, not for unwinding the DNA.

2. How does sunscreen protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays?

• A. By reflecting UV rays away from the skin
• B. By absorbing UV rays and converting them to heat
• C. By blocking UV rays completely
• D. By stimulating melanin production

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Sunscreen works by absorbing UV rays and converting them to heat. This mechanism helps to prevent the UV rays from penetrating the skin and causing damage such as sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Reflecting UV rays away from the skin (option A) is not the primary function of sunscreen. While sunscreen does block UV rays, it does not do so completely (option C) as some UV rays may still penetrate the skin. Sunscreen does not stimulate melanin production (option D) as a means of protecting the skin from UV rays.

3. What is the process of converting ammonia, a byproduct of protein digestion, into a less toxic form?

• A. Deamination
• B. Transamination
• C. Decarboxylation
• D. Hydrolysis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Deamination is the correct answer. It is the process of removing an amino group from a molecule, like converting ammonia (NH3) into a less toxic form such as urea. Ammonia, a byproduct of protein digestion, must be converted into a less toxic form for excretion. Deamination is a crucial step that mainly occurs in the liver through the urea cycle. Transamination involves transferring an amino group from one molecule to another, not removing it as in deamination. Decarboxylation is the removal of a carboxyl group from a molecule, and hydrolysis is the breakdown of a compound by adding water.

4. What is the net ionic equation for the reaction: 2HCl(aq) + Ba(OH)2(aq) → 2H2O(l) + BaCl2(aq)?

• A. 2H+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) → 2H2O(l)
• B. 2HCl(aq) + Ba(OH)2(aq) → BaCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)
• C. 2H+(aq) + Ba2+(aq) → Ba2+(aq) + 2H+(aq)
• D. Ba(OH)2(aq) + HCl(aq) → BaCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In the given reaction, the complete ionic equation is: 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) + Ba2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) → 2H2O(l) + Ba2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq). Spectator ions (Ba2+ and Cl-) do not participate in the net ionic equation, which simplifies to: 2H+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) → 2H2O(l). This equation represents the significant species involved in the reaction, showcasing the formation of water from the combination of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions, resulting in the production of water molecules.

5. What determines the defining characteristic of an element?

• A. Neutrons in its nucleus
• B. Electrons surrounding the nucleus
• C. Protons in its nucleus
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The defining characteristic of an element is determined by the number of protons in its nucleus, which is referred to as the atomic number. The number of protons uniquely identifies an element. The correct answer is choice C because the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom defines its elemental identity, as different elements have a unique number of protons. Neutrons and electrons do play essential roles in the atom, but they do not determine the defining characteristic of an element. Neutrons contribute to the stability of the nucleus and isotopes of an element, while electrons are involved in chemical bonding and the reactivity of an atom.

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