Nursing Elites

1. What is the main function of the epiglottis, a small flap of cartilage located above the larynx?

• A. To warm and humidify inhaled air
• B. To control the passage of food and air
• C. To produce sound vibrations for speech
• D. To sense the presence of foreign objects

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The main function of the epiglottis is to control the passage of food and air. It acts as a cover for the trachea during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway. This mechanism ensures that food safely travels down the esophagus to the stomach, while air simultaneously enters the trachea and moves into the lungs for respiration. Choice A is incorrect as the warming and humidifying of inhaled air primarily occur in the nasal cavity. Choice C is incorrect because sound production for speech involves structures like the vocal cords rather than the epiglottis. Choice D is incorrect as sensing foreign objects is not a primary function of the epiglottis; instead, this role is typically associated with sensory receptors in the respiratory tract.

2. What is the function of fascia in muscle tissue?

• A. to enclose, protect, support, and separate muscle tissue
• B. to connect muscle tissue to bone
• C. to serve as the contractile unit of muscle
• D. to slide past the actin protein cells in muscle to create contraction

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'to enclose, protect, support, and separate muscle tissue.' Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, providing structural support, protecting them from friction and injury, and helping in movement. Choice B is incorrect as tendons are responsible for connecting muscle tissue to bone. Choice C is incorrect as the contractile unit of muscle is the sarcomere, not fascia. Choice D is incorrect as the process described relates to muscle contraction mechanisms involving actin and myosin, not the function of fascia.

3. After the Industrial Revolution, the population of peppered moths in England shifted towards more dark moths. This is an example of:

• A. Artificial selection (selective breeding by humans for desired traits)
• B. Natural selection acting on pre-existing variation
• C. Punctuated equilibrium (rapid bursts of evolution)
• D. Lamarckism (inheritance of acquired characteristics)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The shift in the peppered moth population towards more dark moths in England after the Industrial Revolution exemplifies natural selection acting on pre-existing variation. Initially, light-colored moths were well-camouflaged against lichen-covered tree trunks, but with industrial pollution darkening the tree trunks, dark-colored moths gained a survival advantage. This change reflects how the environment favored dark moths over light ones, illustrating natural selection. The process illustrates how organisms with traits advantageous in a changing environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the prevalence of those traits in the population over time. The choices of artificial selection (A), punctuated equilibrium (C), and Lamarckism (D) are not applicable in this scenario. Artificial selection involves intentional breeding by humans, punctuated equilibrium refers to rapid bursts of evolution followed by periods of stability, and Lamarckism suggests the inheritance of acquired characteristics, none of which align with the observed shift in moth populations based on environmental changes.

4. At which step in the scientific method might a scientist create a model?

• A. Hypothesis
• B. Data analysis
• C. Experimentation
• D. Conclusion

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In the scientific method, scientists often create models during the hypothesis stage. Creating models at this stage helps visualize or simulate ideas before proceeding to experimentation and data analysis. Models are valuable tools that allow scientists to conceptualize and test their ideas before conducting experiments to gather data and draw conclusions. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Choice B, data analysis, occurs after experiments have been conducted and data has been collected, making it an incorrect choice. Choice C, experimentation, involves conducting tests and observations based on the hypothesis, but the creation of models typically happens before this stage. Choice D, conclusion, is the final step where scientists interpret the results and draw implications, making it an inappropriate step for creating a model.

5. Which of the following statements best defines an organelle?

• A. Layer of polysaccharides outside the plasma membrane of cells.
• B. Abnormal infectious proteins.
• C. Specialized structures within a cell.
• D. Collection of tissues used to serve a specific function.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Specialized structures within a cell.' An organelle is a specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function. Organelles are membrane-bound structures found within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, each performing distinct roles that contribute to the overall functioning of the cell. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Option A describes the glycocalyx, which is a layer of polysaccharides outside the plasma membrane of cells. Option B refers to prions, abnormal infectious proteins. Option D defines an organ, a collection of tissues used to serve a specific function, rather than an organelle within a cell.

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