Nursing Elites

1. Anya was paid by Company X to analyze dwindling honeybee populations in the Southwest. After measuring hive populations over several months, she noticed no patterns in the geographic distributions of the deaths after comparisons with local maps of interest. This supported her hypothesis, so she took samples of the honey and the bees from the hives and performed dozens of dissections to confirm her suspicions. Which of the following is the most likely hypothesis upon which this research was performed?

• A. Honeybees are being killed off, and their hives are destroyed by other extremely aggressive species of bees from the South.
• B. Honeybees are contracting parasites in large droves.
• C. Honeybees are so sensitive to certain pesticides that they die on contact.
• D. Honeybees die in larger numbers around cell phone towers.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most likely hypothesis based on the information provided is that honeybees are contracting parasites in large droves. Anya observed no geographic patterns in hive deaths and proceeded to analyze honey and bees for further investigation. This suggests that she suspected a widespread issue affecting multiple hives simultaneously, consistent with a scenario where honeybees are being infected by parasites in high numbers, leading to dwindling populations across different locations. The other choices can be eliminated because there is no mention of aggressive species of bees from the South, no evidence pointing to pesticide sensitivity as the cause, and no indication of a correlation with cell phone towers in the information provided.

2. During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?

• A. Interphase
• B. Mitosis
• C. Meiosis
• D. Cytokinesis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Interphase is the phase of the cell cycle where the cell spends the majority of its time and is characterized by three subphases: G1 (Gap 1), S (Synthesis), and G2 (Gap 2). DNA replication specifically occurs during the S phase of interphase. This is a crucial step as it ensures that each daughter cell produced during cell division receives an exact copy of the genetic material. Mitosis is responsible for the equal distribution of the replicated DNA to the daughter cells during cell division. Meiosis is a specialized cell division process for gamete production in sexually reproducing organisms, involving two rounds of division to generate haploid cells. Cytokinesis is the final step of the cell cycle, where the cytoplasm divides to complete the formation of two separate daughter cells following nuclear division.

3. What is the structure surrounding and protecting the testes, maintaining the optimal temperature for sperm production?

• A. Epididymis
• B. Vas deferens
• C. Scrotum
• D. Prostate gland

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The scrotum is the structure that surrounds and protects the testes. It plays a vital role in maintaining an optimal temperature for sperm production by adjusting the distance of the testes from the body to regulate the effects of external temperature changes. This mechanism helps to safeguard the viability and quality of sperm by ensuring they develop at the right temperature. The epididymis (Choice A) is a coiled tube where sperm mature and are stored, not the structure surrounding the testes. The vas deferens (Choice B) is a duct that carries sperm from the testes to the urethra, not the protective structure around the testes. The prostate gland (Choice D) is part of the male reproductive system, responsible for secreting fluids that nourish and protect sperm, but it is not the structure that surrounds and protects the testes for sperm production.

4. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine. What enzyme breaks down proteins into amino acids?

• A. Pepsin
• B. Lipase
• C. Amylase
• D. Trypsin

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Trypsin is the correct enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids. It is produced by the pancreas and released into the small intestine to facilitate protein digestion. Pepsin is an enzyme from the stomach that also breaks down proteins, amylase targets carbohydrates, and lipase works on fats. In this context, since the question specifies the pancreas and small intestine, the correct answer is Trypsin as it is the pancreatic enzyme responsible for protein breakdown in the small intestine.

5. What are the four chambers of the heart?

• A. Right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle
• B. Right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left atrium
• C. Left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle, right atrium
• D. Left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, right ventricle

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle. The heart consists of four chambers: the right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, and left ventricle. Blood flows from the body into the right atrium, then to the right ventricle, where it is pumped to the lungs for oxygenation. Oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium, passes to the left ventricle, and is then pumped out to the body. Choice B is incorrect because it incorrectly lists the left atrium twice. Choice C is incorrect as it rearranges the order of the chambers. Choice D is incorrect as it mistakenly switches the atria and ventricles in their positions.

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