Nursing Elites

1. The adaptive immune system has two main branches: humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Which type of immune cell is primarily responsible for antibody production?

• A. Helper T cells
• B. Cytotoxic T cells
• C. B cells
• D. Natural killer cells

Correct answer: C

Rationale: B cells are primarily responsible for antibody production in the adaptive immune system. When activated, B cells differentiate into plasma cells, which are specialized to produce antibodies. Helper T cells play a crucial role in activating B cells, but they do not directly produce antibodies. Cytotoxic T cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity by killing infected cells, while natural killer cells are part of the innate immune system and target virus-infected and cancerous cells. Therefore, the correct answer is C (B cells) as they are directly involved in the production of antibodies, essential for humoral immunity.

2. What is the atomic number of an element?

• A. The number of protons in an atom's nucleus.
• B. The number of neutrons in an atom's nucleus.
• C. The number of electrons in an atom's valence shell.
• D. The number of isotopes of an element.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The atomic number of an element is the number of protons in an atom's nucleus. This number is crucial as it determines the element's identity and its position on the periodic table. Option B is incorrect because the number of neutrons can vary in isotopes but is not the atomic number. Option C is incorrect as the number of electrons in an atom's valence shell can vary based on the element's charge, not defining the atomic number. Option D is also incorrect because the number of isotopes is not the atomic number of an element.

3. Which property of matter remains constant regardless of changes in gravity?

• A. Mass
• B. Weight
• C. Volume
• D. Density

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and remains constant regardless of changes in gravity. Weight, on the other hand, is the force of gravity acting on an object and can vary depending on the strength of gravity. Volume is the amount of space an object occupies, and density is the mass per unit volume of a substance, both of which can change with changes in gravity. Therefore, mass is the property that remains the same regardless of variations in gravitational force. Choice B, Weight, changes with gravity as it is a force dependent on gravity. Choices C and D, Volume and Density, can be affected by changes in gravity as they are related to the space an object occupies and the mass per unit volume, respectively.

4. What is the initial step of the scientific method?

• A. construct a hypothesis
• B. make observations
• C. analyze data
• D. form a question

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The first step of the scientific method is to make observations. This involves collecting data and information about a specific phenomenon or problem. Observations serve as the basis for developing a question to be explored further. Forming a hypothesis (Choice A) comes after making observations, as the hypothesis is an educated guess to explain the observations. Analyzing data (Choice C) occurs later in the scientific method after data has been collected and experiments conducted. Forming a question (Choice D) is a crucial step but typically follows observations in the scientific process.

5. How can a single gene mutation lead to multiple phenotypes depending on the organism?

• A. Pleiotropy describes the effect of one gene influencing multiple seemingly unrelated traits.
• B. Epigenetics involves environmental factors modifying gene expression without altering the DNA sequence.
• C. Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies within a population.
• D. Gene regulation controls the timing and level of gene expression within an organism.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A single gene mutation can lead to multiple phenotypes through pleiotropy, where one gene influences diverse traits or functions in an organism. This phenomenon occurs when the mutated gene affects different biochemical pathways, developmental processes, or cellular functions, resulting in a cascade of downstream effects that manifest as a variety of phenotypic outcomes. Choice B, epigenetics, involves modifications in gene expression influenced by environmental factors without altering the DNA sequence, which is not directly related to the question about single gene mutations causing multiple phenotypes. Choice C, genetic drift, refers to random changes in allele frequencies within a population, which is unrelated to the impact of a single gene mutation on multiple phenotypes. Choice D, gene regulation, focuses on controlling the timing and level of gene expression within an organism, which is not directly addressing how a single gene mutation can lead to diverse phenotypes.

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