Nursing Elites

1. What is a contraceptive method that uses hormones to prevent ovulation?

• A. Spermicide
• B. Barrier method (condom, diaphragm)
• C. Combined oral contraceptive pill
• D. Intrauterine device (IUD)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is the Combined oral contraceptive pill (C). This method contains hormones (estrogen and progestin) that prevent ovulation, making it an effective contraceptive. Spermicide (A) is a substance that kills sperm and does not use hormones to prevent ovulation. Barrier methods (B) like condoms and diaphragms physically block sperm but do not involve hormone-induced prevention of ovulation. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) (D) prevent pregnancy through different mechanisms, such as altering the uterine environment and preventing sperm from fertilizing the egg, not by hormone-induced prevention of ovulation.

2. 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.

3. Not all cells in the pancreas secrete insulin because of the hormone somatostatin, which inhibits the release of insulin by all cells. What type of intercellular chemical signal does this illustrate?

• A. Autocrine
• B. Neuromodulator
• C. Paracrine
• D. Pheromone

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Paracrine. Somatostatin acts in a paracrine manner by inhibiting the release of insulin from nearby cells within the pancreas. Paracrine signaling involves the secretion of signals that act on neighboring cells, as seen in this scenario where somatostatin affects nearby pancreatic cells without entering the bloodstream or affecting distant cells. Autocrine signaling involves cells responding to substances they themselves release, which is not the case here. Neuromodulators are chemicals that modulate the activity of neurons, not directly related to this scenario. Pheromones are chemicals released into the environment to communicate with individuals of the same species, not relevant to the signaling within the pancreas.

4. What is the primary function of the kidneys?

• A. To digest food
• B. To filter blood and produce urine
• C. To absorb nutrients
• D. To transport oxygen

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary function of the kidneys is to filter blood and remove waste products from the body, producing urine in the process. This function helps in maintaining the body's internal environment stable, a process known as homeostasis. Option A, 'To digest food,' is incorrect as digestion primarily occurs in the gastrointestinal system, not in the kidneys. Option C, 'To absorb nutrients,' is also incorrect because nutrient absorption mainly takes place in the intestines. Option D, 'To transport oxygen,' is incorrect as the lungs and circulatory system are responsible for oxygen transport, not the kidneys.

5. What is the function of introns in eukaryotic genes?

• A. They code for protein sequences.
• B. They are involved in gene regulation.
• C. They are removed during mRNA processing.
• D. They are non-functional remnants of ancient DNA.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Introns do not code for protein sequences. Exons are the segments of DNA that code for proteins. B) While introns can indirectly influence gene regulation, their primary function is not directly involved in gene regulation. C) Introns are non-coding regions of DNA that are transcribed into pre-mRNA but are removed during mRNA processing through a process called splicing. This allows only the exons to be included in the mature mRNA that will be translated into proteins. D) While introns were once thought to be non-functional remnants of ancient DNA, research has shown that they can have regulatory functions and play a role in gene expression.

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