Nursing Elites

1. The liver plays a vital role in digestion. What is one of the main functions of the liver in the digestive system?

• A. Physical breakdown of food
• B. Production of digestive enzymes
• C. Storage and processing of nutrients
• D. Elimination of waste products

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Storage and processing of nutrients. The liver plays a crucial role in processing nutrients absorbed from the small intestine, storing glycogen, vitamins, and minerals, and regulating blood sugar levels by releasing or storing glucose as needed. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the physical breakdown of food primarily occurs in the mouth and stomach, the production of digestive enzymes is mainly carried out by the pancreas and small intestine, and the elimination of waste products is primarily managed by the large intestine and kidneys, not the liver.

2. What is meant by the term 'goiter'?

• A. Overproduction of cortisol from the adrenal glands
• B. Excessive growth of the thyroid gland
• C. Underproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH)
• D. Deficiency of growth hormone from the pituitary gland

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A goiter is a condition characterized by the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. This enlargement can be caused by various factors such as iodine deficiency, thyroid nodules, inflammation, or other thyroid disorders. It is not associated with the overproduction of cortisol (Choice A), underproduction of parathyroid hormone (Choice C), or deficiency of growth hormone (Choice D). Therefore, the correct answer is B, excessive growth of the thyroid gland.

3. The average life expectancy at birth in the United States at the beginning of the 21st century was about 75 years. The average life expectancy at birth in the middle of the 19th century was only about 40 years. Which of the following factors are likely to have contributed to the longer life expectancy in the 21st century? (Select the one that does not apply)

• A. The human body has evolved to become more resilient to its environment.
• B. There have been numerous advances in medical technology and treatments.
• C. Higher standards of basic cleanliness have helped people avoid illness.
• D. The creation of vaccines has nearly eliminated certain diseases that were once deadly.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Medical advances, higher standards of cleanliness, and the creation of vaccines have all significantly contributed to the increase in life expectancy over time. While human evolution plays a role in adaptation to the environment over millennia, it is not a primary factor that has led to the substantial increase in life expectancy within a few centuries. The human body's evolution is a slow process that occurs over generations, while the advancements in medical technology, cleanliness, and vaccines have had a more immediate and direct impact on improving life expectancy.

4. A population refers to a group of organisms of the same:

• A. Species living in the same area
• B. Genus competing for resources
• C. Kingdom inhabiting a specific biome
• D. Phylum found throughout the world

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A population is defined as a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area and interacting with one another. Option A correctly describes this definition by specifying that the organisms are of the same species and share a common geographical location. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately define a population in biological terms. In this context, a population specifically refers to a group of organisms belonging to the same species, not higher taxonomic ranks like genus, kingdom, or phylum.

5. The process by which an organism adapts to its environment through inherited traits is known as

• A. Acclimatization
• B. Behavioral ecology
• C. Natural selection
• D. Niche partitioning

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Acclimatization refers to the short-term physiological adjustments an individual organism makes in response to changes in its environment. This process is reversible and does not involve inherited traits. B) Behavioral ecology is the study of how behavior contributes to an organism's survival and reproduction in its environment. While behavior can be influenced by natural selection, it is not the process by which an organism adapts through inherited traits. C) Natural selection is the process by which organisms with advantageous traits for their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on those traits to their offspring. Over time, this leads to the adaptation of populations to their environments. D) Niche partitioning is the process by which species divide resources to reduce competition within an ecosystem. While this can influence the evolution of species, it is not the process by which an organism adapts through inherited traits.

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