Nursing Elites

1. Decomposers in an ecosystem play a vital role by:

• A. Photosynthesizing and producing organic matter
• B. Breaking down dead organisms and returning nutrients to the environment
• C. Preying on herbivores and controlling their populations
• D. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it available to plants

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rationale: Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler substances. By doing so, they help to recycle nutrients back into the environment, making them available for other organisms to use. This process is essential for the functioning of ecosystems, as it ensures that nutrients are not lost but instead are continuously cycled through the ecosystem. Photosynthesis (option A) is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, and it is not a role of decomposers. Preying on herbivores (option C) is a role typically carried out by predators, not decomposers. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere (option D) is a process carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria, not decomposers.

2. Which word best completes the sentence: "The scientist's breakthrough was met with _____ applause."

• A. thunderous
• B. scattered
• C. polite
• D. hesitant

Correct answer: A

Rationale: "Thunderous" emphasizes the intensity and volume of the applause, fitting the significance of the breakthrough.

3. Which vitamin is crucial for calcium absorption and synthesized in the skin upon sun exposure?

• A. Vitamin A
• B. Vitamin C
• C. Vitamin D
• D. Vitamin E

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption as it helps the body absorb calcium from the diet. When the skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces vitamin D. This is why sunlight is often referred to as the 'sunshine vitamin.' Vitamin A (choice A) is important for vision and immune function, but not specifically for calcium absorption. Vitamin C (choice B) is essential for collagen production and immune function, but not directly related to calcium absorption. Vitamin E (choice D) is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage, but it is not primarily involved in calcium absorption like vitamin D.

4. The microscopic units responsible for muscle contraction are called

• A. Neurons
• B. Myofibrils
• C. Tendons
• D. Sarcomeres

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Sarcomeres. Sarcomeres are the fundamental contractile units of skeletal muscle. They are composed of overlapping actin and myosin filaments that slide past each other during muscle contraction, resulting in muscle shortening. Neurons (A) are nerve cells that transmit signals to and from the brain. Myofibrils (B) are thread-like structures within muscle fibers that contain sarcomeres. Tendons (C) are fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to bones, but they are not directly involved in muscle contraction like sarcomeres are.

5. The process by which two or more species reciprocally influence each other's evolution through selection pressures exerted on one another is called:

• A. Convergent evolution
• B. Divergent evolution
• C. Coevolution
• D. Coevolution

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: A) Convergent evolution refers to the process by which unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures. This does not involve reciprocal influence between species. B) Divergent evolution refers to the process by which two or more related species become more dissimilar over time due to different selection pressures. This also does not involve reciprocal influence between species. C) Coevolution is the process by which two or more species reciprocally influence each other's evolution through selection pressures exerted on one another. This can lead to a close ecological relationship between the species, such as in predator-prey interactions or mutualistic relationships. D) This option is a duplicate of option C.

6. Which of the following is an example of a zoonotic disease?

• A. The common cold
• B. Influenza (the flu)
• C. Malaria
• D. HIV/AIDS

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rationale: A zoonotic disease is a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Influenza is an example of a zoonotic disease as it can be transmitted from animals such as birds and pigs to humans. The common cold (option A) is caused by human rhinoviruses and is not considered a zoonotic disease. Malaria (option C) is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes and is not considered a zoonotic disease. HIV/AIDS (option D) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus and is not considered a zoonotic disease.

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