Nursing Elites

1. What are organisms that break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the environment called?

• A. Producers
• B. Decomposers
• C. Consumers
• D. Parasites

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Decomposers are essential organisms in the ecosystem as they break down dead organisms and organic matter, such as bacteria, fungi, and some insects. By decomposing complex organic materials into simpler forms, they release nutrients back into the environment for other organisms to utilize. Producers (option A) are organisms that generate their own food through photosynthesis; consumers (option C) are organisms that feed on other organisms for energy, and parasites (option D) are organisms that live on or in another organism, benefiting at the host's expense rather than breaking down dead organisms for nutrient recycling.

2. How does water affect the temperature of a living thing?

• A. Water increases temperature.
• B. Water keeps temperature stable.
• C. Water decreases temperature.
• D. Water does not affect temperature.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb and release a large amount of heat energy without causing a significant change in temperature. This property allows water to help regulate the temperature of living things by buffering against sudden temperature changes in the environment. Overall, water helps to maintain a stable temperature within living organisms, which is crucial for their survival and physiological processes. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because water's high specific heat capacity enables it to stabilize temperatures rather than increasing, decreasing, or having no effect on them.

3. What is the primary mode of CO2 transport in the body?

• A. Bicarbonate
• B. Carbamino compounds
• C. None of these
• D. Plasma

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bicarbonate. In the body, the primary mode of CO2 transport is as bicarbonate. Carbon dioxide is converted to bicarbonate in red blood cells as part of the bicarbonate buffer system, which helps maintain the pH balance in the blood. Bicarbonate is then transported in the plasma to the lungs where it is converted back to carbon dioxide for exhalation. While carbamino compounds also play a role in CO2 transport by binding to amino groups on proteins, bicarbonate is the main mode of transport for carbon dioxide in the body. Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the primary mechanism of CO2 transport in the body.

4. The number of protons in an atom determines its:

• A. Mass number
• B. Atomic number
• C. Atomic weight
• D. Valence electron count

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The number of protons in an atom is known as the atomic number. The atomic number uniquely identifies an element and determines its position on the periodic table. It is a fundamental property of an element and directly influences its chemical behavior and interactions. The mass number, on the other hand, is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom, not just protons. Atomic weight is the average mass of an element's isotopes considering their relative abundance, not solely based on the number of protons. Valence electron count refers to the number of electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom, influencing its ability to form bonds and participate in chemical reactions, but it is not determined by the number of protons in the atom.

5. Which of the following is an example of a fibrous protein?

• A. Insulin
• B. Keratin
• C. Hemoglobin
• D. Collagen

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A) Insulin is a hormone, not a fibrous protein. It is produced in the pancreas and regulates blood sugar levels. B) Keratin is a fibrous structural protein found in hair, nails, and the outer skin layer, providing strength and protection. C) Hemoglobin is a globular protein in red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport; it is not fibrous. D) Collagen is a fibrous protein found in tendons, ligaments, and skin, offering strength and structure to connective tissues. Therefore, the correct answer is collagen, making it the main component of various connective tissues.

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