Nursing Elites

1. How do green plants use nitrates in the nitrogen cycle?

• A. To synthesize proteins
• B. To store food
• C. To decompose ammonia
• D. To break down nitrites

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Green plants use nitrates in the nitrogen cycle to synthesize proteins. Nitrogen is an essential component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Plants take up nitrates from the soil through their roots and incorporate nitrogen into their proteins through the process of protein biosynthesis. This helps in their growth, development, and overall health. Choice B, 'To store food,' is incorrect because nitrates are primarily used for protein synthesis, not food storage. Choice C, 'To decompose ammonia,' is incorrect as plants do not decompose ammonia but rather utilize it through nitrification. Choice D, 'To break down nitrites,' is incorrect as plants typically convert nitrites into nitrates through a process called nitrate assimilation for protein synthesis.

2. Which structure might be described as a core of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat?

• A. RNA
• B. Virus
• C. Blue-green alga
• D. Saprophyte

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A virus can be described as a core of nucleic acid (either RNA or DNA) surrounded by a protein coat, known as a capsid. This structure distinguishes viruses from other microorganisms such as blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria), fungi known as saprophytes, or individual RNA molecules. Viruses depend on a host cell to replicate and are considered non-living entities due to their inability to carry out metabolic functions independently.

3. How is mitosis different from meiosis?

• A. Mitosis is the process by which body cells are formed.
• B. Meiosis creates cells with half the chromosomes of the parent cell.
• C. Telophase occurs in both mitosis and meiosis.
• D. Spermatogenesis and oogenesis occur via meiosis.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Meiosis is the type of cell division that creates cells with half the number of chromosomes compared to the parent cell. This is essential for sexual reproduction as it ensures that when the sex cells (sperm and egg) combine during fertilization, the resulting offspring has the correct number of chromosomes. In contrast, mitosis results in two identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Choice A is incorrect because mitosis is responsible for the division of body cells, not sex cells. Choice C is incorrect because telophase is a phase that occurs in both mitosis and meiosis. Choice D is incorrect because spermatogenesis and oogenesis involve meiosis, not mitosis.

4. Phenotype refers to the _ of an individual.

• A. Genetic makeup
• B. Actual physical appearance
• C. Recessive alleles
• D. None of the above

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Phenotype refers to the actual physical appearance and characteristics of an individual, which are determined by the interaction of both genetic makeup (genotype) and environmental factors. It includes visible traits such as height, eye color, and hair type. Choice A, genetic makeup, refers to the genotype, which is the genetic constitution of an organism. Choice C, recessive alleles, is a specific type of gene variant and does not encompass the entire concept of phenotype. Choice D, none of the above, is incorrect as phenotype does refer to the actual physical appearance of an individual.

5. The difference between diploid and haploid is as follows:

• A. Diploid organisms are multicellular
• B. Diploid cells are somatic
• C. Diploid cells have two sets of homologous chromosomes
• D. More than one of the above is true

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Option B correctly states that diploid cells are somatic cells that make up the body tissues and organs in an organism, while haploid cells are gametes involved in sexual reproduction. Option C accurately differentiates diploid and haploid cells based on their chromosome sets – diploid cells have two sets of homologous chromosomes (one from each parent), whereas haploid cells have one set of unpaired chromosomes. Therefore, the correct choice is D, as both statements in options B and C are accurate descriptions of the differences between diploid and haploid cells. Option A is incorrect because diploid and haploid refer to the number of sets of chromosomes in a cell, not whether the organism is multicellular or not.

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