Nursing Elites

1. After the Industrial Revolution, the population of peppered moths in England shifted towards more dark moths. This is an example of:

• A. Artificial selection (selective breeding by humans for desired traits)
• B. Natural selection acting on pre-existing variation
• C. Punctuated equilibrium (rapid bursts of evolution)
• D. Lamarckism (inheritance of acquired characteristics)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The shift in the peppered moth population towards more dark moths in England after the Industrial Revolution exemplifies natural selection acting on pre-existing variation. Initially, light-colored moths were well-camouflaged against lichen-covered tree trunks, but with industrial pollution darkening the tree trunks, dark-colored moths gained a survival advantage. This change reflects how the environment favored dark moths over light ones, illustrating natural selection. The process illustrates how organisms with traits advantageous in a changing environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the prevalence of those traits in the population over time. The choices of artificial selection (A), punctuated equilibrium (C), and Lamarckism (D) are not applicable in this scenario. Artificial selection involves intentional breeding by humans, punctuated equilibrium refers to rapid bursts of evolution followed by periods of stability, and Lamarckism suggests the inheritance of acquired characteristics, none of which align with the observed shift in moth populations based on environmental changes.

2. Which test is commonly used to assess kidney function?

• A. Complete blood count (CBC)
• B. Blood sugar test
• C. Urinalysis
• D. Creatinine clearance test

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The creatinine clearance test is commonly used to assess kidney function. Creatinine, a waste product produced by muscles, is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. The creatinine clearance test measures how efficiently the kidneys clear creatinine from the blood. Abnormal levels of creatinine in the blood can indicate kidney dysfunction, making this test crucial for evaluating kidney function. Choice A, a complete blood count (CBC), provides information about different blood cells and is not a specific test for kidney function. Choice B, a blood sugar test, assesses glucose levels in the blood and is not directly related to kidney function. Choice C, a urinalysis, evaluates the contents of urine and can provide information about kidney health but is not as specific for assessing kidney function as the creatinine clearance test.

3. Which vitamin is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight?

• A. Vitamin A
• B. Vitamin C
• C. Vitamin D
• D. Vitamin E

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight. When the skin is exposed to sunlight, a form of cholesterol in the skin is converted into vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) through a series of chemical reactions. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium absorption and bone health. Choice A, Vitamin A, is not synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight; it is obtained through dietary sources. Choice B, Vitamin C, is not synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight either. Vitamin C is obtained through dietary sources like fruits and vegetables. Choice D, Vitamin E, is not synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant and is obtained through dietary sources like nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.

4. What is the atomic number of an atom?

• A. The number of protons in an atom
• B. The number of neutrons in an atom
• C. The number of electrons in an atom
• D. The sum of protons and neutrons

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The atomic number of an atom is the number of protons in its nucleus. This number uniquely identifies the element, as each element has a distinct number of protons. Neutrons and electrons play roles in the atom's structure and stability, but the atomic number specifically refers to the number of protons. Choice B (The number of neutrons in an atom) is incorrect because the atomic number does not include neutrons; it only represents the number of protons. Choice C (The number of electrons in an atom) is incorrect because the atomic number is not related to the number of electrons, which can vary in different atomic configurations. Choice D (The sum of protons and neutrons) is incorrect because it refers to the mass number of an atom, which is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, not just the protons.

5. What determines the final velocity of a block sliding down a frictionless inclined plane?

• A. The length of the incline
• B. The angle of the incline
• C. The mass of the block
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The final velocity of a block sliding down a frictionless inclined plane is determined by the angle of the incline. The angle directly impacts the acceleration of the block, affecting the final velocity it attains at the bottom. The length of the incline and the mass of the block do not play a direct role in determining the final velocity. Therefore, the correct answer is the angle of the incline (Choice B). Choices A and C are incorrect because the length of the incline and the mass of the block do not have a direct influence on the final velocity of the block in this scenario.

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