Nursing Elites

1. A rocket blasts off from Earth. What is the main force propelling the rocket upwards?

• A. Gravitational force
• B. Air resistance
• C. Thrust from the rocket engine
• D. Normal force from the launchpad

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The main force propelling the rocket upwards is the thrust from the rocket engine. Thrust is the force produced by the rocket engine pushing exhaust gases in the opposite direction, following Newton's third law of motion (action and reaction). This thrust overcomes the force of gravity and allows the rocket to lift off and move upwards. Choice A, gravitational force, is incorrect as gravity pulls objects towards the Earth, and in this case, the rocket is moving against gravity. Choice B, air resistance, is incorrect because it opposes the motion of the rocket and is more relevant during descent rather than ascent. Choice D, normal force from the launchpad, is incorrect as this force acts perpendicular to the surface and does not propel the rocket upwards.

2. Which of the following is the smallest unit of matter?

• A. Molecule
• B. Atom
• C. Compound
• D. Element

Correct answer: B

Rationale: An atom is the fundamental building block of matter, while molecules are formed by the combination of atoms.

3. Which molecules are soluble in nonpolar solvents but are hydrophobic?

• A. Carbohydrates
• B. Lipids
• C. Proteins
• D. Nucleic acids

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Lipids are hydrophobic molecules that are soluble in nonpolar solvents like oils but insoluble in water. They consist of fats, oils, waxes, and steroids and play essential roles in energy storage, insulation, and cell membrane structure. Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are not typically soluble in nonpolar solvents and do not exhibit the same hydrophobic characteristics as lipids. Carbohydrates are usually hydrophilic and soluble in water, proteins have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions but are not generally soluble in nonpolar solvents, and nucleic acids are polar molecules that are not known for their solubility in nonpolar solvents.

4. Which type of joint connects the bones of the skull?

• A. Synovial
• B. Fibrous
• C. Cartilaginous
• D. Ball-and-socket

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Fibrous joints connect the bones of the skull. These joints are immovable or provide very limited movement, providing stability and protection to the brain. Synovial joints (Choice A) are found in the limbs and allow for a wide range of movements. Cartilaginous joints (Choice C) are connected by cartilage and allow limited movement. Ball-and-socket joints (Choice D) allow for a wide range of motion, such as the hip and shoulder joints, but they do not connect the bones of the skull.

5. What is the primary function of the cell membrane?

• A. To provide structural support for the cell
• B. To transport substances in and out of the cell
• C. To synthesize proteins and lipids
• D. To store genetic material

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary function of the cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is to regulate the movement of substances in and out of the cell. It acts as a selectively permeable barrier, allowing specific molecules to pass through while blocking others. This role is crucial for maintaining the internal environment of the cell by enabling essential nutrients to enter and waste products to exit. While the cell membrane provides some structural support for the cell, its main function is substance transport. Protein and lipid synthesis predominantly occur in organelles like the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, and storing genetic material is the nucleus's responsibility. Therefore, choices C (To synthesize proteins and lipids) and D (To store genetic material) are incorrect as these functions are carried out by other cell organelles, not the cell membrane.

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