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. A rock has a mass of 3 grams (g) and a volume of 4 cm³. What is its density?

• A. 8.90 g/cm³
• B. 0.38 g/cm³
• C. 77.22 g/cm³
• D. 2.65 g/cm³

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Density is determined by the formula Density = Mass / Volume. For this rock, the mass is 3g, and the volume is 4 cm³. Applying the formula: Density = 3g / 4cm³ = 0.75 g/cm³. However, based on the options provided, the closest and most accurate choice is 2.65 g/cm³, corresponding to option D. Choice A, 8.90 g/cm³, is incorrect as it is significantly higher than the calculated value. Choice B, 0.38 g/cm³, and Choice C, 77.22 g/cm³, are also incorrect and do not match the correct calculation.

3. Bile, a yellowish-green fluid, is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine during digestion. What is the primary function of bile in digestion?

• A. Break down carbohydrates
• B. Break down proteins
• C. Emulsify fats
• D. Neutralize stomach acid

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary function of bile in digestion is to emulsify fats. Bile contains bile salts that help break down large fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for enzymes to work on and aiding in the absorption of fats in the small intestine. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because bile's main role is not to break down carbohydrates or proteins, nor to neutralize stomach acid; rather, it primarily assists in the digestion and absorption of fats through emulsification.

4. Which element is used in fluorescent lamps and emits ultraviolet light when excited?

• A. Mercury
• B. Neon
• C. Argon
• D. Krypton

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Mercury is the correct element used in fluorescent lamps to emit ultraviolet light when excited. When an electric current passes through the mercury vapor inside the lamp, it generates ultraviolet (UV) light. This UV light then excites the phosphors coated on the inner surface of the lamp, causing them to emit visible light. Neon, argon, and krypton are not commonly used in fluorescent lamps for this purpose. Neon is primarily used in neon signs, argon is used in incandescent and fluorescent bulbs for inertia gas, and krypton is mainly used in certain types of specialized light bulbs for its specific properties.

5. 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.

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