Nursing Elites

1. During normal breathing, which muscle is the primary driver of inhalation by contracting and flattening to increase the volume of the thoracic cavity?

• A. Diaphragm
• B. Intercostal muscles
• C. Abdominal muscles
• D. Pectoral muscles

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The diaphragm is the primary muscle responsible for inhalation during normal breathing. When it contracts, it flattens, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating a negative pressure that allows air to flow into the lungs. Intercostal muscles also play a role in expanding the chest cavity during inhalation, but the diaphragm is the main driver of the process. Abdominal muscles are primarily involved in exhalation by pushing the diaphragm upward to expel air from the lungs. Pectoral muscles are involved in movements of the arms and shoulders, not in breathing, making them incorrect choices for this question.

2. 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.

3. Which property of a substance describes its ability to conduct heat or electricity?

• A. Reactivity
• B. Conductivity
• C. Density
• D. Viscosity

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Conductivity is the correct property that describes a substance's ability to conduct heat or electricity. Reactivity is related to how readily a substance undergoes chemical reactions, not its ability to conduct heat or electricity. Density refers to the mass per unit volume of a substance, which is different from its ability to conduct heat or electricity. Viscosity measures a substance's resistance to flow, not its ability to conduct heat or electricity.

4. What is the difference between a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell?

• A. Prokaryotic cells have a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells do not
• B. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not.
• C. Prokaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells do not.
• D. Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: - Prokaryotic cells are simpler and do not have a true nucleus. Their genetic material is located in the nucleoid region, which is not enclosed by a membrane. - Eukaryotic cells are more complex and have a true nucleus that houses the genetic material, enclosed within a nuclear membrane. - Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have organelles, but eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus, while prokaryotic cells lack these membrane-bound organelles.

5. Water is capable of dissolving many substances that organisms need to carry out life functions. Which of the properties of water listed below is responsible for its ability to dissolve important nutrients like ionic salt compounds?

• A. adhesion
• B. cohesion
• C. high specific heat
• D. high polarity

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The property of water that is responsible for its ability to dissolve important nutrients like ionic salt compounds is its high polarity. Water is a polar molecule with a positive and negative end, which allows it to attract and surround individual ions from salt compounds, causing them to dissociate and dissolve in water. This property makes water an excellent solvent for various substances necessary for life functions. Adhesion refers to the ability of water molecules to stick to other substances, cohesion is the attraction between water molecules themselves, and high specific heat is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of water. While these properties are important characteristics of water, they are not directly responsible for its ability to dissolve ionic salt compounds.

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