Nursing Elites

1. Which enzyme found in saliva is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates into smaller molecules like sugars?

• A. Pepsin
• B. Amylase
• C. Lipase
• D. Trypsin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Saliva contains an enzyme called amylase, which specifically targets carbohydrates and breaks them down into smaller molecules like sugars. Pepsin, choice A, is an enzyme found in the stomach that breaks down proteins, not carbohydrates. Lipase, choice C, is responsible for breaking down fats, not carbohydrates. Trypsin, choice D, is an enzyme that breaks down proteins in the small intestine, not carbohydrates. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect for this question.

2. Adaptive radiation refers to the evolutionary process where:

• A. A single ancestral species diversifies into multiple descendant species due to ecological pressures in a heterogeneous environment.
• B. Two unrelated species evolve similar adaptations in response to similar environments, leading to convergent evolution.
• C. A population becomes increasingly well-adapted to its current environment through continued natural selection.
• D. The fossil record exhibits gaps or missing links in the evolutionary history of a lineage.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: - Adaptive radiation is a process where a single ancestral species diversifies into multiple descendant species to exploit different ecological niches within a heterogeneous environment. - This diversification occurs due to the different selective pressures present in various habitats, leading to the evolution of distinct traits and adaptations in different descendant species. - Option A accurately describes the process of adaptive radiation, where the initial species undergoes rapid speciation to occupy different ecological roles and adapt to diverse environmental conditions. - Options B, C, and D do not accurately describe adaptive radiation but refer to other evolutionary processes such as convergent evolution, natural selection, and gaps in the fossil record, respectively.

3. An uncharged atom has an electron configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² and a mass number of 14. How many protons does it have?

• A. 14
• B. 6
• C. 8
• D. 12

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The number of protons in an atom is determined by the atomic number, which is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus. The electron configuration given corresponds to carbon (C) with 6 protons. The atomic number of an element is the same as the number of protons in its nucleus, so in this case, the atom has 6 protons. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not correspond to the correct number of protons for an atom with the given electron configuration and mass number. Therefore, option B, 6 protons, is the correct answer.

4. When two objects with different masses collide, what happens to their momentum after the collision?

• A. Increases for both objects
• B. Decreases for both objects
• C. Remains the same for both objects
• D. Can increase for one and decrease for the other

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When two objects with different masses collide, their total momentum remains the same after the collision according to the law of conservation of momentum if no external forces are acting on them. This means that the momentum of each individual object may change, but the sum of their momenta will remain constant. Choice A is incorrect because the total momentum of the system is conserved. Choice B is incorrect because momentum is conserved in an isolated system. Choice D is incorrect as it implies a violation of the law of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum of an isolated system remains constant.

5. What happens to the density of a gas when its temperature increases at constant pressure?

• A. It increases.
• B. It decreases.
• C. It remains the same.
• D. Information is insufficient.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When the temperature of a gas increases at constant pressure, the average kinetic energy of the gas molecules increases. This leads to the gas molecules moving faster and spreading out more, which causes them to occupy a larger volume. As a result, the density of the gas decreases because the same number of gas molecules are now distributed over a larger space. Choice A is incorrect because as the gas molecules spread out, the density decreases. Choice C is incorrect because the increase in temperature leads to a decrease in density due to the increased volume occupied by the gas molecules. Choice D is incorrect because with the provided scenario of temperature increase at constant pressure, the effect on density can be determined.

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