Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism that can directly cause evolution by natural selection?

• A. Mutations in genes
• B. Differential survival and reproduction based on traits
• C. Inheritance of acquired characteristics (like strong muscles from working out)
• D. Competition for resources in an environment

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Mutations in genes can introduce new genetic variations into a population, which can be acted upon by natural selection. B) Differential survival and reproduction based on traits is a key component of natural selection, as individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation. C) Inheritance of acquired characteristics, also known as Lamarckism, is not a mechanism of evolution by natural selection. Traits acquired during an individual's lifetime (such as strong muscles from working out) are not passed on to offspring. D) Competition for resources in an environment can drive natural selection by favoring individuals with traits that help them better compete for limited resources. Therefore, the correct answer is C) Inheritance of acquired characteristics (like strong muscles from working out), as it is not a mechanism that can directly cause evolution by natural selection.

2. What is the SI unit of measurement for acceleration?

• A. Meters per second (m/s)
• B. Newton (N)
• C. Meters (m)
• D. Meters per second squared (m/s²)

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The SI unit of measurement for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²). Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity over time. It is a vector quantity with dimensions of length per time squared. Meters per second squared (m/s²) represents the change in velocity (meters per second) over a specific time interval (seconds) squared. Choice A, meters per second (m/s), represents velocity, not acceleration. Choice B, Newton (N), is the unit of force. Choice C, Meters (m), represents only distance, not acceleration. Therefore, the correct unit for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).

3. The process by which a single-celled organism divides into two identical daughter cells is called

• A. Conjugation
• B. Binary fission
• C. Endocytosis
• D. Mitosis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rationale: A) Conjugation is a process in which genetic material is transferred between two bacterial cells through a conjugation tube. It does not involve the division of a single-celled organism into two identical daughter cells. B) Binary fission is the process by which a single-celled organism, such as a bacterium, divides into two identical daughter cells. This is a common method of reproduction in prokaryotic organisms. C) Endocytosis is a cellular process in which cells engulf external materials by wrapping them in a vesicle. It is not a method of cell division. D) Mitosis is a type of cell division that occurs in eukaryotic cells, leading to the production of two daughter cells with identical genetic material. However, the question specifically refers to a single-celled organism, which typically undergoes binary fission for reproduction.

4. What is the primary function of the heart?

• A. Filtering blood
• B. Exchanging gases
• C. Pumping blood throughout the body
• D. Producing hormones

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The main function of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body. The heart acts as a muscular pump that circulates blood, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues and removing waste products. Option A is incorrect because blood filtration is a function of the kidneys, not the heart. Option B is incorrect as gas exchange occurs in the lungs, not the heart. Option D is also incorrect as hormone production is mainly carried out by endocrine glands, not the heart.

5. The Human Genome Project is a worldwide research project launched in 1990 to map the entire human genome. Although the Project was faced with the monumental challenge of analyzing tons of data, its objective was completed in 2003, two years ahead of its deadline. Which of the following inventions likely had the greatest impact on this project?

• A. The sonogram
• B. X-ray diffraction
• C. The microprocessor
• D. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The microprocessor, a key component of modern computers, played a crucial role in the success of the Human Genome Project. The ability of microprocessors to process vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently allowed scientists to analyze the massive amounts of genetic information generated by the project. This technological advancement significantly accelerated the pace of genome sequencing and data analysis, ultimately leading to the completion of the project ahead of schedule. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. The sonogram is used for imaging in medical diagnostics, X-ray diffraction is a technique for studying the structure of materials at the atomic level, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body. While these inventions have their own importance in various fields, they did not have the same impact on the Human Genome Project as the microprocessor did.

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