Nursing Elites

1. Why is biodiversity important for healthy ecosystems?

• A. Increases stability and resilience to disturbances
• B. Provides stability and resilience to disturbances
• C. Slows down nutrient cycling
• D. Reduces the number of decomposers

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms in a particular area. A diverse ecosystem is better able to withstand and recover from disturbances such as natural disasters, climate change, or human impacts. This is because different species play unique roles in the ecosystem, and a higher level of biodiversity means there are more species available to fulfill these roles. For example, if one species is negatively affected by a disturbance, other species may be able to compensate for its loss, maintaining the overall functioning of the ecosystem. Therefore, biodiversity provides stability and resilience to disturbances, making ecosystems healthier and more sustainable. Choice A is incorrect because biodiversity doesn't increase competition for resources but rather helps in maintaining a balance within the ecosystem. Choice C is incorrect as biodiversity does not slow down nutrient cycling; in fact, it enhances nutrient cycling by ensuring a variety of species involved in the process. Choice D is incorrect as biodiversity does not reduce the number of decomposers but instead supports a diverse community of decomposers that are essential for nutrient recycling in ecosystems.

2. Which of the following organs is responsible for the mechanical breakdown of food into smaller pieces?

• A. Esophagus
• B. Stomach
• C. Small intestine
• D. Mouth

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Mouth. The mouth is responsible for the mechanical breakdown of food through chewing and mixing with saliva. This process is essential for breaking down food into smaller, more digestible pieces before swallowing. The esophagus (choice A) is a muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach and does not participate in the mechanical breakdown of food. The stomach (choice B) primarily functions to further break down food using acids and enzymes, rather than mechanical means. The small intestine (choice C) is responsible for absorbing nutrients from the digested food, not for the mechanical breakdown of food.

3. What property of a substance refers to its ability to be drawn into thin wires without breaking?

• A. Malleability
• B. Viscosity
• C. Ductility
• D. Conductivity

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Ductility is the property that allows a substance to be drawn into thin wires without breaking. Malleability, on the other hand, is the ability to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets. Viscosity is the measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. Conductivity, lastly, refers to a substance's ability to conduct electricity or heat. Therefore, in this context, the correct answer is ductility as it specifically relates to the ability of a substance to be drawn into thin wires without breaking.

4. Which structure in the respiratory system is responsible for preventing food and liquids from entering the trachea during swallowing?

• A. Bronchi
• B. Larynx
• C. Alveoli
• D. Pharynx

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The larynx, housing the epiglottis, a flap of tissue, is the structure responsible for preventing food and liquids from entering the trachea during swallowing. It acts as a protective barrier, covering the trachea to ensure that ingested substances are directed to the esophagus. The bronchi are the primary airway passages that branch from the trachea into the lungs. Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs, facilitating the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The pharynx is the passage connecting the mouth and nasal cavity to the esophagus and trachea.

5. What is the process by which muscles convert chemical energy (ATP) into mechanical energy (movement)?

• A. Photosynthesis
• B. Cellular respiration
• C. Muscle contraction
• D. The sliding filament theory

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Muscle contraction is the correct answer. It is the process by which muscles convert chemical energy (ATP) into mechanical energy (movement). During muscle contraction, the sliding filament theory explains how actin and myosin filaments slide past each other, causing muscle fibers to shorten and generate force. Photosynthesis (option A) is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Cellular respiration (option B) is the process by which cells generate ATP from glucose and oxygen. The sliding filament theory (option D) is a detailed explanation of the molecular events that occur during muscle contraction but is not the overall process of converting energy into movement; it focuses on the mechanism within the process of muscle contraction.

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