Nursing Elites

1. An important characteristic of amino acids is that they can:

• A. act as buffers.
• B. facilitate glucose storage.
• C. regulate heartbeat.
• D. control the level of blood cholesterol.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: act as buffers. Amino acids can act as buffers by helping to maintain the pH balance in the body. Choice B is incorrect because amino acids do not primarily facilitate glucose storage. Choice C is incorrect as amino acids do not regulate the heartbeat. Choice D is also incorrect because amino acids do not control the level of blood cholesterol.

2. One characteristic of an essential fatty acid is that it:

• A. comes from a plant source.
• B. comes from an animal source.
• C. is not manufactured by the body.
• D. is manufactured by the body.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because essential fatty acids are not manufactured by the body and must be obtained through the diet. Choice A is incorrect because essential fatty acids can come from plant sources as well. Choice B is incorrect as essential fatty acids are primarily derived from plant sources. Choice D is incorrect because essential fatty acids cannot be produced by the body. Therefore, the only accurate statement is that essential fatty acids are not manufactured by the body.

3. Which body organ is responsible for the metabolic processing of glucose?

• A. Large intestine.
• B. Gallbladder.
• C. Pancreas.
• D. Liver.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is the liver. The liver plays a central role in glucose homeostasis by metabolically processing glucose. The large intestine is primarily involved in absorbing water and electrolytes, not glucose. The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver but is not directly involved in glucose metabolism. Although the pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, the liver is mainly responsible for the metabolic processing of glucose.

4. At what pH does the digestion of protein by pepsin in the stomach require?

• A. 1.8 and 3.5.
• B. 4.8 and 7.0.
• C. 6.8 and 8.5.
• D. 7.8 and 10.0.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 1.8 and 3.5. Pepsin, an enzyme involved in protein digestion, functions optimally in an acidic environment, specifically between pH 1.8 and 3.5. This low pH is necessary for pepsin to break down proteins effectively. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because pepsin requires a highly acidic environment, ruling out the pH ranges listed in those options.

5. Which monosaccharide only occurs naturally in foods in combination with another sugar as a disaccharide?

• A. Fructose.
• B. Galactose.
• C. Sucrose.
• D. Maltose.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, galactose. Galactose naturally occurs in foods only when it is combined with glucose to form lactose, a disaccharide found in milk. Fructose is a monosaccharide found in fruits and honey. Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose, commonly known as table sugar. Maltose is a disaccharide formed by the combination of two glucose molecules.

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