Nursing Elites

1. Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting which neurotransmitter?

• A. Dopamine
• B. Acetylcholine
• C. Serotonin
• D. Glutamate

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Parkinson's disease is primarily caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in coordinating movement. The reduction of dopamine levels leads to the characteristic motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia. Choice B, acetylcholine, is involved in functions like muscle contraction and autonomic nervous system regulation but is not primarily affected in Parkinson's disease. Serotonin (Choice C) is involved in mood regulation and sleep, not the main neurotransmitter affected in Parkinson's disease. Glutamate (Choice D) is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and is not primarily implicated in Parkinson's disease pathophysiology.

2. What is the function of valves in arteries?

• A. To maintain high blood pressure for the proper diffusion of nutrients in capillaries.
• B. To prevent backflow of blood due to high pressure away from the heart.
• C. As a vestigial trait from evolution, like the appendix, that serves no purpose.
• D. Valves are absent in arteries but present in veins.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Valves in arteries serve the crucial function of preventing backflow of blood. Arteries carry blood at high pressure away from the heart, and the valves ensure that blood flows in one direction, towards the capillaries, to maintain efficient circulation. Without these valves, there would be a risk of blood flowing backward, compromising the effectiveness of blood circulation in the body. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Choice A incorrectly suggests that valves maintain high blood pressure for nutrient diffusion in capillaries, which is not their function. Choice C inaccurately compares valves to vestigial traits, like the appendix, implying they serve no purpose, which is untrue. Choice D is incorrect as valves are indeed present in arteries to regulate blood flow, not just in veins.

3. What is the pH of a solution with a hydrogen ion concentration of (1x10^{-9}) M?

• A. 5
• B. 7
• C. 9
• D. 11

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The pH of a solution can be calculated using the formula: pH = -log[H+]. Given that the hydrogen ion concentration is \(1 \times 10^{-9}\) M, the pH can be calculated as pH = -log(1 x 10^-9) = 9. Therefore, the correct answer is C) 9.

4. Which of the following statements regarding macrophages is incorrect?

• A. They are found abundantly in the blood
• B. They are larger than neutrophils
• C. They are long-lived
• D. They are made in the bone marrow as monocytes, called macrophages once they reach organs

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Macrophages are not found abundantly in the blood; they are present in tissues and organs. Macrophages are tissue-resident immune cells that play a key role in immune responses and are derived from monocytes produced in the bone marrow. Choice B is correct as macrophages are larger than neutrophils. Choice C is correct as macrophages are long-lived cells. Choice D is correct as macrophages originate in the bone marrow as monocytes and differentiate into macrophages once they migrate to various tissues and organs.

5. Which of the following enzymes unwinds the double-stranded DNA during replication?

• A. Helicase
• B. Ligase
• C. Nuclease
• D. Polymerase

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Helicase is the enzyme responsible for unwinding the double-stranded DNA during replication by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs. This process creates the replication fork where DNA polymerase can then synthesize new DNA strands. Ligase functions to join Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand, not unwind DNA. Nuclease is involved in DNA repair by removing damaged DNA segments. Polymerase is responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands based on the existing template strands, not for unwinding the DNA.

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