Nursing Elites

1. What is the function of the pituitary gland?

• A. Produces hormones that regulate growth and metabolism
• B. Filters blood and removes waste products
• C. Stores and releases bile
• D. Produces red blood cells

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The pituitary gland is often referred to as the "master gland" because it controls the activity of many other endocrine glands in the body. It is located at the base of the brain and produces a variety of hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, and blood pressure.

2. The tiny contractile units within muscle cells are called:

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

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Sarcomeres. Sarcomeres are the basic contractile units within muscle cells. They are made up of overlapping filaments of actin and myosin proteins, which slide past each other during muscle contraction, resulting in muscle movement. Myocytes (A) are muscle cells, myofibrils (B) are cylindrical structures within muscle fibers composed of sarcomeres, and tendons (D) are tough bands of connective tissue that connect muscle to bone. Therefore, sarcomeres are specifically responsible for muscle contraction within muscle cells.

3. When you push a book across a table, the book experiences an equal and opposite force from the table. Why doesn't the table move as well?

• A. The table is much heavier than the book.
• B. The force on the book acts in a different direction.
• C. The table has a much larger surface area, distributing the force over a wider area
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: While Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, the unbalanced force acting on each object depends on their respective masses. The larger mass of the table (compared to the book) experiences a smaller acceleration, making its movement almost imperceptible.

4. Which phrase best describes the tone of the passage?

• A. Humorous and lighthearted
• B. Suspenseful and mysterious
• C. Objective and informative
• D. Critical and judgmental

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The passage presents factual information without injecting personal opinions or emotions. A, B, and D suggest tones not present in the passage's neutral delivery.

5. What characteristic unites all organisms in the kingdom Animalia?

• A. Multicellularity and heterotrophy
• B. Unicellular nature
• C. Photosynthesis
• D. Cell walls made of chitin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: A) Multicellularity and heterotrophy: This is the correct answer because all organisms in the kingdom Animalia are multicellular (composed of multiple cells) and exhibit heterotrophy (obtain nutrients by consuming other organisms). B) Unicellular nature: This is incorrect because organisms in the kingdom Animalia are multicellular, not unicellular. C) Photosynthesis: This is incorrect because organisms in the kingdom Animalia do not perform photosynthesis; they are heterotrophs that obtain nutrients by consuming other organisms. D) Cell walls made of chitin: This is incorrect because organisms in the kingdom Animalia do not have cell walls made of chitin. Chitin is a structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi, not animals.

6. What is the term for the involuntary muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract?

• A. Segmentation
• B. Peristalsis
• C. Chyme
• D. Emulsification

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Peristalsis. Peristalsis is the term used to describe the involuntary muscle contractions that help move food through the digestive tract. These rhythmic contractions occur in the smooth muscles of the digestive system and help propel food and other substances like chyme through the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Segmentation, choice A, refers to the mixing movements in the intestines that aid in digestion but do not move food along the tract. Chyme, choice C, is the semi-fluid mass of partially digested food that moves from the stomach to the small intestine. Emulsification, choice D, is the process of breaking down fats into smaller droplets to aid in digestion, but it is not directly related to the movement of food through the digestive tract.

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