Nursing Elites

1. The adaptive immune system develops a targeted response to specific pathogens. What type of immune cell is responsible for producing antibodies?

• A. Natural killer cells
• B. Phagocytes
• C. Helper T cells
• D. B cells

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: B cells. B cells are a type of lymphocyte responsible for producing antibodies, which play a crucial role in the adaptive immune response. When a pathogen enters the body, B cells are activated and differentiate into plasma cells that secrete specific antibodies to target and neutralize the pathogen. Natural killer cells (A) are part of the innate immune system and are responsible for killing infected or abnormal cells. Phagocytes (B) are another type of innate immune cell that engulfs and digests pathogens. Helper T cells (C) play a vital role in coordinating the immune response but do not directly produce antibodies.

2. What disease is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting?

• A. Muscular dystrophy
• B. Myositis
• C. Fibromyalgia
• D. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting over time. It primarily affects skeletal muscles, leading to difficulties in movement and muscle function. Myositis is an inflammatory condition affecting the muscles, but it may not always result in progressive muscle weakness and wasting. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue, not necessarily progressive muscle weakness. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a compression neuropathy affecting the median nerve in the wrist, leading to symptoms like numbness and tingling in the hand, but it does not cause progressive muscle weakness and wasting like muscular dystrophy does.

3. he adrenal cortex produces a group of steroid hormones called corticosteroids. What is a MAJOR function of corticosteroids?

• A. Regulate insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels
• B. Control blood pressure and electrolyte balance
• C. Stimulate the immune system and inflammatory response
• D. Promote growth and development during puberty

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Control blood pressure and electrolyte balance.' Corticosteroids, produced by the adrenal cortex, play a major role in regulating blood pressure and electrolyte balance in the body. These hormones, such as aldosterone, act on the kidneys to control the reabsorption of sodium and water, which in turn affects blood pressure and electrolyte levels. While corticosteroids can have effects on other physiological processes, their primary function is to regulate blood pressure and electrolyte balance, making option B the most appropriate choice in this context.

4. A scientist observes a new species of plant with unusual leaves. They hypothesize that the leaves help capture more sunlight. Which observation would LEAST support this hypothesis?

• A. The plant grows in shady environments.
• B. The leaves have a large surface area.
• C. The leaves contain high levels of chlorophyll.
• D. The plant has shallow roots.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: If the plant thrives in shade, it suggests the leaves may have adapted for other purposes than maximizing sunlight capture.

5. In what way does spindle fiber dynamics and microtubule attachment regulate cell cycle checkpoints?

• A. Misaligned chromosomes fail to attach to microtubules, triggering a delay in anaphase onset.
• B. The presence of unattached kinetochores on the centromeres sends a signal to pause cell cycle progression.
• C. Microtubule instability and rapid depolymerization lead to the activation of checkpoint proteins.
• D. All of the above.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Rationale: A) Misaligned chromosomes fail to attach to microtubules, triggering a delay in anaphase onset: During cell division, proper attachment of chromosomes to spindle fibers is crucial for accurate segregation of genetic material. If chromosomes are not correctly attached to microtubules, it can lead to misalignment, which triggers a delay in anaphase onset. This delay allows the cell to correct any errors before proceeding with cell division. B) The presence of unattached kinetochores on the centromeres sends a signal to pause cell cycle progression: Kinetochores are protein structures located at the centromere of chromosomes and are responsible for attaching chromosomes to spindle fibers. When kinetochores are unattached or improperly attached to microtubules, it sends a signal to the cell to pause cell cycle progression. This pause allows the cell to ensure that all chromosomes are properly aligned before proceeding with cell division.

6. Damage to which part of the brain can lead to difficulty with language and speech?

• A. Broca's area
• B. Wernicke's area
• C. Occipital lobe
• D. Cerebellum

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Broca's area. Broca's area, located in the frontal lobe of the brain, is crucial for language production. Damage to Broca's area can result in expressive aphasia, where individuals have difficulty speaking fluently and forming coherent sentences. Wernicke's area, located in the temporal lobe, is responsible for understanding and interpreting language. Damage to Wernicke's area can lead to receptive aphasia, where individuals have difficulty understanding language. The occipital lobe is primarily responsible for processing visual information, while the cerebellum is involved in motor coordination and balance, not language and speech.

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