Nursing Elites

1. According to the periodic table, which of the following elements is the least reactive?

• A. Fluorine
• B. Silicon
• C. Neon
• D. Gallium

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Neon is the least reactive among the given elements because it belongs to the noble gases group in the periodic table. Noble gases have a full valence shell of electrons, making them highly stable and least likely to react with other elements. Fluorine is the most reactive non-metal due to its high electronegativity. Silicon is a metalloid with moderate reactivity, falling between metals and nonmetals. Gallium is a metal with higher reactivity compared to Neon, but it is not as reactive as Fluorine.

2. What does the concept of punctuated equilibrium suggest?

• A. Evolution occurs gradually through the continuous accumulation of small changes over long periods.
• B. Evolution is characterized by long periods of relative stasis punctuated by rapid bursts of evolutionary change.
• C. The fossil record is a complete and accurate representation of all past life forms.
• D. Natural selection primarily favors extreme phenotypes within a population.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Punctuated equilibrium suggests that evolution is characterized by long periods of relative stasis punctuated by rapid bursts of evolutionary change. This concept, proposed by Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge, implies that species remain relatively unchanged for extended periods, followed by sudden bursts of rapid evolution. Option A describes the gradualism model, which is different from punctuated equilibrium. Option C is inaccurate as the fossil record is incomplete and biased. Option D is unrelated to the concept of punctuated equilibrium.

3. Which of the following infectious diseases can be caused by a protozoan parasite?

• A. Measles
• B. Malaria
• C. Mumps
• D. Mononucleosis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Malaria. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium, a protozoan parasite transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Measles and mumps are viral diseases caused by separate viruses. Mononucleosis, on the other hand, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which is also a viral infection. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they are caused by viruses, not protozoa.

4. An uncharged atom has an electron configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² and a mass number of 14. How many protons does it have?

• A. 14
• B. 6
• C. 8
• D. 12

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The number of protons in an atom is determined by the atomic number, which is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus. The electron configuration given corresponds to carbon (C) with 6 protons. The atomic number of an element is the same as the number of protons in its nucleus, so in this case, the atom has 6 protons. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not correspond to the correct number of protons for an atom with the given electron configuration and mass number. Therefore, option B, 6 protons, is the correct answer.

5. Which of the following phases of mitosis is characterized by the separation of sister chromatids and their movement to opposite poles?

• A. Metaphase
• B. Anaphase
• C. Telophase
• D. Cytokinesis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: During anaphase of mitosis, the sister chromatids, which are duplicated copies of a chromosome, separate and move towards opposite poles of the cell. This movement is facilitated by the shortening of microtubules attached to the chromatids. As a result, each pole of the cell receives a complete set of chromosomes, ensuring that the daughter cells produced after cell division will have the correct number of chromosomes. Metaphase is characterized by the alignment of chromosomes at the cell's equator, not their separation. Telophase is the phase following anaphase, where the separated chromatids reach the opposite poles and nuclear envelopes start to form around them. Cytokinesis is the final stage of cell division, where the cytoplasm is divided to form two separate daughter cells.

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