Nursing Elites

1. Water is capable of dissolving many substances that organisms need to carry out life functions. Which of the properties of water listed below is responsible for its ability to dissolve important nutrients like ionic salt compounds?

• A. adhesion
• B. cohesion
• C. high specific heat
• D. high polarity

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The property of water that is responsible for its ability to dissolve important nutrients like ionic salt compounds is its high polarity. Water is a polar molecule with a positive and negative end, which allows it to attract and surround individual ions from salt compounds, causing them to dissociate and dissolve in water. This property makes water an excellent solvent for various substances necessary for life functions. Adhesion refers to the ability of water molecules to stick to other substances, cohesion is the attraction between water molecules themselves, and high specific heat is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of water. While these properties are important characteristics of water, they are not directly responsible for its ability to dissolve ionic salt compounds.

2. Fluorescent microscopy utilizes which property of certain molecules to create a visible image?

• A. Staining properties
• B. Light absorption
• C. Fluorescence emission
• D. Refraction

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Fluorescent microscopy relies on the property of certain molecules to fluoresce when exposed to specific wavelengths of light. When these molecules absorb light energy, they become excited and then emit light at a longer wavelength, producing a visible image. This emitted light is what is used to create the image in fluorescent microscopy, making option C, fluorescence emission, the correct answer. Staining properties (option A) are used to enhance contrast in microscopy but are not the primary mechanism in fluorescent microscopy. Light absorption (option B) is involved in the excitation of fluorescent molecules but is not the property used to create the visible image. Refraction (option D) is the bending of light as it passes through different mediums and is not the property utilized in fluorescent microscopy.

3. Which of the following is a condition characterized by a loss of bone density and increased risk of fractures?

• A. Osteoarthritis
• B. Rickets
• C. Osteoporosis
• D. Scoliosis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by a loss of bone density, leading to fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease affecting cartilage, Rickets is caused by a deficiency in vitamin D leading to impaired bone development, and Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. Therefore, the correct answer is osteoporosis as it specifically pertains to decreased bone density and fracture risk, distinguishing it from the other conditions listed.

4. What is the primary function of the cell membrane?

• A. To provide structural support for the cell
• B. To transport substances in and out of the cell
• C. To synthesize proteins and lipids
• D. To store genetic material

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary function of the cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is to regulate the movement of substances in and out of the cell. It acts as a selectively permeable barrier, allowing specific molecules to pass through while blocking others. This role is crucial for maintaining the internal environment of the cell by enabling essential nutrients to enter and waste products to exit. While the cell membrane provides some structural support for the cell, its main function is substance transport. Protein and lipid synthesis predominantly occur in organelles like the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, and storing genetic material is the nucleus's responsibility. Therefore, choices C (To synthesize proteins and lipids) and D (To store genetic material) are incorrect as these functions are carried out by other cell organelles, not the cell membrane.

5. Define the term 'velocity' in relation to motion.

• A. Speed in a specific direction
• B. Distance traveled in a given time
• C. Rate of change of position
• D. Acceleration due to gravity

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Velocity is a vector quantity that describes the speed of an object along with its direction of motion. Unlike speed, which is a scalar quantity focusing solely on the magnitude of motion, velocity considers both speed and direction. Therefore, the best definition of velocity is 'speed in a specific direction.' Choice B, 'Distance traveled in a given time,' is incorrect as it defines speed rather than velocity. Choice C, 'Rate of change of position,' is more aligned with the definition of velocity but lacks the specificity of direction. Choice D, 'Acceleration due to gravity,' is unrelated to the definition of velocity and refers to a different concept in physics.

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