Nursing Elites

1. Which term best describes the gradual change in a species over time in response to environmental pressures?

• A. Punctuated equilibrium (rapid bursts of evolution)
• B. Gradualism (slow and continuous change)
• C. Founder effect (genetic drift in a small population)
• D. Adaptive radiation (rapid diversification of a species)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A) Punctuated equilibrium refers to rapid bursts of evolution followed by long periods of stability, rather than gradual change over time in response to environmental pressures. B) Gradualism is the process by which species evolve through slow and continuous changes over time in response to environmental pressures. This gradual change can lead to the development of new traits and adaptations. C) Founder effect is a type of genetic drift that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to a loss of genetic variation compared to the original population. It does not specifically describe the gradual change in a species over time. D) Adaptive radiation is the rapid diversification of a species into a variety of forms to exploit different ecological niches, but it does not specifically refer to the gradual change in response to environmental pressures. Therefore, the term that best describes the gradual change in a species over time in response to environmental pressures is 'Gradualism.'

2. What is the muscular sac that stores urine until it is released from the body known as?

• A. Urethra
• B. Bladder
• C. Ureter
• D. Nephron

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The bladder is the muscular sac that stores urine until it is released from the body. It acts as a reservoir for urine until it is eliminated through the urethra. The urethra is the tube responsible for carrying urine from the bladder to the outside. The ureter transports urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidney involved in the filtration of blood and urine production. Therefore, the correct answer is the bladder, as it specifically fulfills the function of storing urine before its elimination.

3. Decomposers in an ecosystem play a vital role by:

• A. Photosynthesizing and producing organic matter
• B. Breaking down dead organisms and returning nutrients to the environment
• C. Preying on herbivores and controlling their populations
• D. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it available to plants

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler substances. By doing so, they help to recycle nutrients back into the environment, making them available for other organisms to use. This process is essential for the functioning of ecosystems, as it ensures that nutrients are not lost but instead are continuously cycled through the ecosystem. Photosynthesis (option A) is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, and it is not a role of decomposers. Preying on herbivores (option C) is a role typically carried out by predators, not decomposers. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere (option D) is a process carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria, not decomposers.

4. Which structure protects the lungs?

• A. Femur
• B. Ribcage
• C. Scapula
• D. Skull

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The ribcage is the correct answer. It protects the lungs by providing structural support and shielding them from injury. The femur is a bone in the thigh and does not protect the lungs. The scapula is a shoulder blade bone, and the skull protects the brain, not the lungs.

5. What is the outermost layer of the dermis, rich in collagen and elastin fibers that provide elasticity to the skin?

• A. Papillary layer
• B. Reticular layer
• C. Stratum basale
• D. Stratum corneum

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the reticular layer. This layer is the outermost layer of the dermis that contains abundant collagen and elastin fibers, providing elasticity to the skin. The papillary layer is located beneath the epidermis and is responsible for supplying nutrients to the epidermis, not the outermost layer. The stratum basale is the deepest layer of the epidermis where new skin cells are produced, not part of the dermis. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis composed of dead skin cells, not a layer of the dermis.

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