Nursing Elites

1. What role do the amino acids methionine, tyrosine, and tryptophan play?

• A. Forming neurotransmitters.
• B. Blocking excess protein breakdown.
• C. Increasing production of insulin and thyroxine.
• D. Decreasing energy expenditure.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Forming neurotransmitters. Methionine, tyrosine, and tryptophan are important amino acids involved in the production of neurotransmitters in the body. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals across nerve cells, influencing various functions such as mood, memory, and muscle control. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because these amino acids do not primarily play a role in blocking protein breakdown, increasing insulin and thyroxine production, or decreasing energy expenditure.

2. What is the chemical structure that forms the base component of an amino acid?

• A. carboxyl group
• B. carbon chain
• C. radicals
• D. amino group

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is the amino group. Amino acids consist of an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a variable side chain attached to a central carbon atom. The amino group is essential for the formation of proteins. The carboxyl group is not the base component but another important functional group in amino acids. Carbon chain and radicals are not specific chemical structures that form the base component of an amino acid.

3. What is the term for the production of glucose from protein, lactate, or glycerol?

• A. glycolysis
• B. gluconeogenesis
• C. glycogenolysis
• D. glucogenesis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Gluconeogenesis is the correct term for the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources such as protein, lactate, or glycerol. Choice A, glycolysis, is the process of breaking down glucose into pyruvate. Choice C, glycogenolysis, is the breakdown of glycogen into glucose. Choice D, glucogenesis, is not a recognized term in biochemistry.

4. An important characteristic of amino acids is that they can:

• A. act as buffers.
• B. facilitate glucose storage.
• C. regulate heartbeat.
• D. control the level of blood cholesterol.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: act as buffers. Amino acids can act as buffers by helping to maintain the pH balance in the body. Choice B is incorrect because amino acids do not primarily facilitate glucose storage. Choice C is incorrect as amino acids do not regulate the heartbeat. Choice D is also incorrect because amino acids do not control the level of blood cholesterol.

5. What substance activates pepsinogen to pepsin?

• A. Bile
• B. Gastrin
• C. Secretin
• D. Hydrochloric acid

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach plays a crucial role in converting pepsinogen into its active form, pepsin, which is necessary for digesting proteins. Bile (Choice A) is involved in the emulsification of fats, not in the activation of pepsinogen. Gastrin (Choice B) is a hormone that stimulates the secretion of gastric acid but does not directly activate pepsinogen. Secretin (Choice C) is a hormone that regulates the pH of the duodenum but is not responsible for the activation of pepsinogen.

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