Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary source of energy entering most ecosystems?

• A. Chemical energy stored in bonds
• B. Thermal energy from the Earth's core
• C. Light energy from the sun
• D. Kinetic energy from wind and water

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In most ecosystems, the primary source of energy is sunlight. This energy is captured by plants and other photosynthetic organisms through the process of photosynthesis. These organisms convert light energy into chemical energy stored in the bonds of organic molecules, such as glucose. This stored chemical energy is then passed on to other organisms in the ecosystem through the food chain, making sunlight the fundamental source of energy for most ecosystems. Thermal energy from the Earth's core (option B) is not a primary source of energy for ecosystems, as it is not readily accessible to most organisms. Kinetic energy from wind and water (option D) can play a role in some ecosystems, but it is not the primary source of energy. Chemical energy stored in bonds (option A) is a form of energy that is ultimately derived from the sun through photosynthesis, making it a product of the primary energy source rather than the primary source itself.

2. After the Industrial Revolution, the population of peppered moths in England shifted towards more dark moths. This is an example of:

• A. Artificial selection (selective breeding by humans for desired traits)
• B. Natural selection acting on pre-existing variation
• C. Punctuated equilibrium (rapid bursts of evolution)
• D. Lamarckism (inheritance of acquired characteristics)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The shift in the peppered moth population towards more dark moths in England after the Industrial Revolution exemplifies natural selection acting on pre-existing variation. Initially, light-colored moths were well-camouflaged against lichen-covered tree trunks, but with industrial pollution darkening the tree trunks, dark-colored moths gained a survival advantage. This change reflects how the environment favored dark moths over light ones, illustrating natural selection. The process illustrates how organisms with traits advantageous in a changing environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the prevalence of those traits in the population over time. The choices of artificial selection (A), punctuated equilibrium (C), and Lamarckism (D) are not applicable in this scenario. Artificial selection involves intentional breeding by humans, punctuated equilibrium refers to rapid bursts of evolution followed by periods of stability, and Lamarckism suggests the inheritance of acquired characteristics, none of which align with the observed shift in moth populations based on environmental changes.

3. Which hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, stimulates the growth and development of bones, muscles, and organs?

• A. Growth hormone (GH)
• B. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• C. Prolactin
• D. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Growth hormone (GH). GH, produced by the pituitary gland, is responsible for stimulating the growth and development of bones, muscles, and organs. It plays a critical role in regulating growth during childhood and adolescence by promoting cell division, protein synthesis, and tissue growth. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) functions to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, while prolactin is involved in milk production. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is primarily responsible for reproductive functions like egg development in females and sperm production in males.

4. A large geographic area characterized by similar climate, plants, and animals is called a:

• A. Population
• B. Community
• C. Biome
• D. Ecosystem

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Population refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area. B) Community refers to all the populations of different species living and interacting in a particular area. C) Biome is a large geographic area characterized by similar climate, plants, and animals. Biomes are defined by factors such as temperature, precipitation, and vegetation types. D) Ecosystem refers to a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment. An ecosystem can be part of a biome.

5. Which of the following quantities do catalysts alter to control the rate of a chemical reaction?

• A. Substrate energy
• B. Activation energy
• C. Inhibitor energy
• D. Promoter energy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Activation energy. Catalysts function by reducing the activation energy needed for a chemical reaction to proceed. By lowering the activation energy, catalysts facilitate the reaction without being consumed themselves. Substrate energy, inhibitors, and promoters are not directly altered by catalysts in the same way activation energy is. Substrate energy refers to the energy of the reactants, which is not altered by catalysts. Inhibitors increase the activation energy required for a reaction, while promoters enhance the effectiveness of a catalyst but do not represent a quantity altered by catalysts.

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