Nursing Elites

1. Decomposers in an ecosystem play a vital role by:

• A. Photosynthesizing and producing organic matter
• B. Breaking down dead organisms and returning nutrients to the environment
• C. Preying on herbivores and controlling their populations
• D. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it available to plants

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler substances. By doing so, they help to recycle nutrients back into the environment, making them available for other organisms to use. This process is essential for the functioning of ecosystems, as it ensures that nutrients are not lost but instead are continuously cycled through the ecosystem. Photosynthesis (option A) is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, and it is not a role of decomposers. Preying on herbivores (option C) is a role typically carried out by predators, not decomposers. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere (option D) is a process carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria, not decomposers.

2. Which of the following touch receptors respond to light touch and slower vibrations?

• A. Merkel's discs
• B. Pacinian corpuscles
• C. Meissner's corpuscles
• D. Ruffini endings

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Merkel's discs. Merkel's discs are touch receptors that respond to light touch and slower vibrations, making them ideal for detecting subtle tactile stimuli. Pacinian corpuscles are specialized in detecting deep pressure and high-frequency vibrations, not light touch or slower vibrations. Meissner's corpuscles, on the other hand, are sensitive to light touch and low-frequency vibrations, but they do not specifically respond to slower vibrations. Ruffini endings are responsible for detecting skin stretch and continuous touch pressure, differentiating them from Merkel's discs, which are specifically attuned to light touch and slower vibrations.

3. The acceleration of a falling object due to gravity has been proven to be 9.8 m/s². A scientist drops a cactus four times and measures the acceleration with an accelerometer and gets the following results: 9.79 m/s², 9.81 m/s², 9.80 m/s², and 9.78 m/s². Which of the following accurately describes the measurements?

• A. They're both accurate and precise.
• B. They're accurate but not precise.
• C. They're precise but not accurate.
• D. They're neither accurate nor precise.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The measurements are both close to the actual value (accurate) and consistent with each other (precise). Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value, and precision refers to the reproducibility or consistency of the measurements. In this case, the measured values are all very close to the actual value of 9.8 m/s², indicating accuracy. Additionally, the measurements are clustered closely together, demonstrating precision. Therefore, the measurements are both accurate and precise, making choice A the correct answer. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the measurements exhibit both accuracy and precision, as they are close to the true value and also consistent with each other.

4. Which organ serves as the human body's command center, integrating sensory information and coordinating movement and vital functions?

• A. Lungs
• B. Brain
• C. Kidneys
• D. Stomach

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The brain is the human body's command center, responsible for integrating sensory information, coordinating movement, and regulating vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. While the lungs, kidneys, and stomach perform crucial functions in the body, they do not have the central role of serving as the command center for these essential bodily processes. The lungs are primarily involved in respiration, the kidneys in filtering blood and regulating fluid balance, and the stomach in digestion. However, none of these organs have the comprehensive control over sensory integration, movement coordination, and vital functions like the brain does.

5. What is the primary function of the respiratory system?

• A. to create sound and speech
• B. to take oxygen into the body while removing carbon dioxide
• C. to transport nutrients to the cells and tissue of the body
• D. to act as a barrier between the body’s organs and outside influences

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary function of the respiratory system is to take oxygen into the body through inhalation and remove carbon dioxide through exhalation. Oxygen is essential for cellular respiration and energy production, while carbon dioxide is a waste product that needs to be expelled from the body. This process is vital for the functioning of the body's cells and tissues. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because sound and speech production, nutrient transport, and acting as a barrier against outside influences are not the primary functions of the respiratory system. While the respiratory system is involved in speech production to some extent, its primary role is in gas exchange for respiration.

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