Nursing Elites

1. What is the protective fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord called?

• A. Blood
• B. Cerebrospinal fluid
• C. Plasma
• D. Myelin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Cerebrospinal fluid is the protective fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It acts as a cushion to protect these vital organs from injury and provides nutrients to the nervous system. Blood, plasma, and myelin are not the fluids specifically surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Blood is found within blood vessels, plasma is the liquid component of blood, and myelin is a fatty substance that forms a protective sheath around nerve fibers.

2. What is the primary function of ribosomes in the cell?

• A. To synthesize lipids and other cellular components
• B. To package and transport proteins
• C. To break down macromolecules
• D. To translate mRNA into proteins

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Ribosomes are cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis. They read the genetic information encoded in messenger RNA (mRNA) and use this information to assemble amino acids into a specific sequence, forming a protein. This process is known as translation and is essential for the production of proteins that carry out various functions in the cell. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the primary function of ribosomes. Choice A is incorrect because the synthesis of lipids and other cellular components is not the primary function of ribosomes. Choice B is incorrect as packaging and transporting proteins are functions typically associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Choice C is incorrect because ribosomes do not break down macromolecules; instead, they are involved in building proteins from amino acids.

3. What type of bond connects amino acids to form proteins?

• A. Covalent
• B. Peptide
• C. Ionic
• D. Hydrogen

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Peptide'. Peptide bonds are the specific type of bond that connects amino acids together to form proteins. These bonds form through a condensation reaction between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another amino acid, creating a covalent bond. While covalent bonds are involved in the formation of peptide bonds, the direct bond connecting amino acids in proteins is the peptide bond. Ionic bonds involve the attraction between charged particles, and hydrogen bonds are weaker bonds compared to covalent and peptide bonds, playing a different role in protein structure.

4. Which of the following enzymes unwinds the double-stranded DNA during replication?

• A. Helicase
• B. Ligase
• C. Nuclease
• D. Polymerase

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Helicase is the enzyme responsible for unwinding the double-stranded DNA during replication by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs. This process creates the replication fork where DNA polymerase can then synthesize new DNA strands. Ligase functions to join Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand, not unwind DNA. Nuclease is involved in DNA repair by removing damaged DNA segments. Polymerase is responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands based on the existing template strands, not for unwinding the DNA.

5. What is the primary function of the endocrine system?

• A. Heartbeat
• B. Respiration
• C. Electrolyte and water balance
• D. Homeostasis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. The primary function of the endocrine system is to maintain homeostasis. Homeostasis refers to the stable internal conditions of the body, including body temperature, blood pH, and glucose levels. The endocrine system achieves this by releasing hormones that regulate various physiological processes and help keep the body's internal environment in balance. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because while the endocrine system does influence heart rate, electrolyte and water balance, and respiration to some extent, its primary role is to regulate homeostasis by releasing hormones.

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