Nursing Elites

1. Endotoxins are toxic substances released by:

• A. Viruses
• B. Bacteria (gram-positive)
• C. Bacteria (gram-negative)
• D. Parasites

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Endotoxins are toxic substances that are part of the outer membrane of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. These toxins are released when the bacteria are destroyed or during bacterial growth. Endotoxins can cause a variety of harmful effects in the host, including fever, inflammation, and septic shock. Viruses do not produce endotoxins; they are typically associated with producing viral proteins that can be toxic to host cells. Gram-positive bacteria produce exotoxins, which are different from endotoxins found in gram-negative bacteria. Parasites, though capable of causing diseases, are not typically associated with the production of endotoxins.

2. Which type of cell has a nucleus but lacks membrane-bound organelles?

• A. Plant cell
• B. Prokaryotic cell
• C. Animal cell
• D. Fungal cell

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Prokaryotic cell. Prokaryotic cells are characterized by having a nucleus that is not enclosed within a membrane (nuclear envelope) and lacking membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus. Plant, animal, and fungal cells are eukaryotic cells, which have a true nucleus enclosed within a nuclear envelope and contain membrane-bound organelles. Therefore, options A, C, and D are incorrect as they all represent eukaryotic cells that possess membrane-bound organelles.

3. After a person eats birthday cake, which of the following enzymes is needed to break down the sucrose in the cake?

• A. Lactase
• B. Maltase
• C. Peptidase
• D. Sucrase

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Sucrase is the correct enzyme needed to break down sucrose into its component sugars, glucose, and fructose. Lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose, maltase for maltose, and peptidase for proteins; therefore, they are not the enzymes required to digest sucrose specifically. In the context of digesting birthday cake, which contains sucrose, sucrase is the enzyme needed for this particular sugar.

4. What is the ultimate end product of glucose breakdown in glycolysis?

• A. ATP
• B. NADPH
• C. Pyruvic acid
• D. Oxygen

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The ultimate end product of glucose breakdown in glycolysis is pyruvic acid. During glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvic acid through a series of enzymatic reactions. ATP is produced as an energy carrier during glycolysis, but it is not the final end product. NADPH is not a direct product of glycolysis; it is mainly produced in the pentose phosphate pathway. Oxygen is not a product of glycolysis but is used as an electron acceptor in the electron transport chain of cellular respiration.

5. Which of the following organelles is responsible for producing ATP in the cell?

• A. Golgi apparatus
• B. Mitochondria
• C. Nucleus
• D. Ribosome

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell and are responsible for producing ATP through cellular respiration. ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the energy currency of the cell that is essential for various cellular processes. The Golgi apparatus is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion. The nucleus is responsible for housing the cell's genetic material and controlling cell activities. Ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis. However, the actual production of ATP occurs in the mitochondria through processes like the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.

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