Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following basic mechanisms of evolution is described as the process where organisms with an advantageous trait survive more often and produce more offspring than organisms without the advantageous trait?

• A. gene flow
• B. genetic drift
• C. mutation
• D. natural selection

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Natural selection is the basic mechanism of evolution that explains how organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce in a given environment. This leads to the passing on of these favorable traits to their offspring, causing these traits to become more common in the population over time, resulting in evolutionary change. Natural selection is driven by environmental pressures that support the survival and reproduction of individuals with specific traits. Gene flow refers to the movement of genes between populations, genetic drift is the change in allele frequencies due to random events, and mutation is the source of genetic variation but is not the process by which advantageous traits become more prevalent in a population.

2. Which of the following produces the first heart sound ('lub')?

• A. The closing of the aortic and pulmonary valves
• B. The closing of the tricuspid and mitral valves
• C. The opening of the aortic and pulmonary valves
• D. The opening of the tricuspid and mitral valves

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The first heart sound, known as the 'lub' sound, is produced by the closure of the tricuspid and mitral valves, which are the atrioventricular valves. This sound marks the beginning of systole in the cardiac cycle. Choice A, the closing of the aortic and pulmonary valves, is incorrect as these valves produce the second heart sound ('dub'). Choice C, the opening of the aortic and pulmonary valves, is incorrect because the first heart sound occurs during ventricular contraction (systole). Choice D, the opening of the tricuspid and mitral valves, is incorrect as the 'lub' sound is associated with the closure, not the opening, of these valves.

3. Anya was paid by Company X to analyze dwindling honeybee populations in the Southwest. After measuring hive populations over several months, she noticed no patterns in the geographic distributions of the deaths after comparisons with local maps of interest. This supported her hypothesis, so she took samples of the honey and the bees from the hives and performed dozens of dissections to confirm her suspicions. Which of the following is the most likely hypothesis upon which this research was performed?

• A. Honeybees are being killed off, and their hives are destroyed by other extremely aggressive species of bees from the South.
• B. Honeybees are contracting parasites in large droves.
• C. Honeybees are so sensitive to certain pesticides that they die on contact.
• D. Honeybees die in larger numbers around cell phone towers.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most likely hypothesis based on the information provided is that honeybees are contracting parasites in large droves. Anya observed no geographic patterns in hive deaths and proceeded to analyze honey and bees for further investigation. This suggests that she suspected a widespread issue affecting multiple hives simultaneously, consistent with a scenario where honeybees are being infected by parasites in high numbers, leading to dwindling populations across different locations. The other choices can be eliminated because there is no mention of aggressive species of bees from the South, no evidence pointing to pesticide sensitivity as the cause, and no indication of a correlation with cell phone towers in the information provided.

4. What is the scientific name for the common housefly?

• A. Musca domestica
• B. Drosophila melanogaster
• C. Apis mellifera
• D. Anopheles gambiae

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Musca domestica is the scientific name for the common housefly. This species is known for being a common pest found in and around human habitations. Drosophila melanogaster (option B) is a species of fruit fly commonly used in genetic research. Apis mellifera (option C) is the scientific name for the western honeybee. Anopheles gambiae (option D) is a species of mosquito known for being a vector of malaria.

5. What hormones are produced in the ovaries, and what are their functions?

• A. Insulin: regulates blood sugar levels
• B. Progesterone: stimulates uterine lining growth
• C. Adrenaline: increases heart rate
• D. Cortisol: regulates stress response

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Progesterone, produced in the ovaries, stimulates uterine lining growth and plays a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle. Insulin is produced in the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels, not in the ovaries. Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands and increases heart rate in response to stress or danger, not in the ovaries. Cortisol, also produced by the adrenal glands, helps regulate the body's response to stress, not in the ovaries.

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