Nursing Elites

1. Which statement below correctly describes the movement of molecules in the body and in relation to the external environment?

• A. Osmosis is the movement of a solution from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.
• B. Diffusion is the process in which oxygen moves from the lungs into the bloodstream.
• C. Dissipation is the transport of molecules across a semipermeable membrane from low to high concentration.
• D. Reverse osmosis is the movement of molecules in a solution from high concentration to low concentration.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Diffusion is the process where molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the context of the lungs, oxygen moves from the alveoli in the lungs to the bloodstream through diffusion. Choice A is incorrect as osmosis involves the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration. Choice C is incorrect because dissipation does not refer to a specific biological process related to molecule movement. Choice D is incorrect as reverse osmosis is a process where solvent moves from an area of high solute concentration to an area of low solute concentration, not the movement of molecules within a solution.

2. After the Industrial Revolution, the population of peppered moths in England shifted towards more dark moths. This is an example of:

• A. Artificial selection (selective breeding by humans for desired traits)
• B. Natural selection acting on pre-existing variation
• C. Punctuated equilibrium (rapid bursts of evolution)
• D. Lamarckism (inheritance of acquired characteristics)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The shift in the peppered moth population towards more dark moths in England after the Industrial Revolution exemplifies natural selection acting on pre-existing variation. Initially, light-colored moths were well-camouflaged against lichen-covered tree trunks, but with industrial pollution darkening the tree trunks, dark-colored moths gained a survival advantage. This change reflects how the environment favored dark moths over light ones, illustrating natural selection. The process illustrates how organisms with traits advantageous in a changing environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the prevalence of those traits in the population over time. The choices of artificial selection (A), punctuated equilibrium (C), and Lamarckism (D) are not applicable in this scenario. Artificial selection involves intentional breeding by humans, punctuated equilibrium refers to rapid bursts of evolution followed by periods of stability, and Lamarckism suggests the inheritance of acquired characteristics, none of which align with the observed shift in moth populations based on environmental changes.

3. When a person throws a ball horizontally, what force changes the direction of the ball's motion?

• A. The force of throwing
• B. Gravitational force
• C. Air resistance
• D. Normal force from the ground

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a person throws a ball horizontally, the initial force that propels the ball forward is the force of throwing (A). However, the force that changes the direction of the ball's motion is the gravitational force (B). Gravitational force acts vertically downward, causing the ball to follow a curved path. Air resistance (C) and normal force from the ground (D) do not directly change the direction of the ball's motion in this scenario.

4. What is the process by which a population gradually loses genetic variation?

• A. Founder effect
• B. Bottleneck effect
• C. Gene flow
• D. Speciation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A) Founder effect: This occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to a loss of genetic variation compared to the original population. It does not necessarily result in a gradual loss of genetic variation in an existing population. B) Bottleneck effect: This process occurs when a population is drastically reduced in size, leading to a significant loss of genetic variation due to the limited number of individuals contributing to the gene pool. The reduced genetic diversity can have long-term effects on the population's ability to adapt to environmental changes. C) Gene flow: This refers to the movement of genes between populations, which can introduce new genetic variation and prevent populations from diverging. Gene flow does not lead to a gradual loss of genetic variation within a population. D) Speciation: This is the process by which new species evolve from existing species, often involving the accumulation of genetic differences that l

5. What is the function of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)?

• A. Carries amino acids to the ribosomes
• B. Reads the genetic code on mRNA
• C. Forms the structural framework of ribosomes
• D. Controls the rate of protein synthesis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) plays a crucial role in forming the structural framework of ribosomes. Ribosomes are the cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis and consist of both protein and rRNA components. The primary function of rRNA is to provide the structural support necessary for ribosomes to function properly. This structural framework allows the ribosome to interact with messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) during translation, where genetic information encoded in mRNA is used to assemble proteins from amino acids. Therefore, rRNA's main role is in contributing to the structure and function of ribosomes, rather than directly carrying amino acids, reading the genetic code, or controlling the rate of protein synthesis. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because rRNA does not carry amino acids to the ribosomes (tRNA does this), read the genetic code (this is the role of ribosomes and tRNA), or control the rate of protein synthesis (this is regulated by various factors but not directly by rRNA).

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