Nursing Elites

1. What is the major difference between somatic and germline mutations?

• A. Somatic mutations usually benefit the individual while germline mutations usually harm them.
• B. Since germline mutations only affect one cell, they are less noticeable than the rapidly dividing somatic cells.
• C. Somatic mutations are not expressed for several generations, but germline mutations are expressed immediately.
• D. Germline mutations are usually inherited while somatic mutations will affect only the individual.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The major difference between somatic and germline mutations is that germline mutations are usually inherited and can be passed on to offspring, while somatic mutations occur in non-reproductive cells and only affect the individual in which they occur. This means that germline mutations have the potential to be present in future generations, while somatic mutations do not.

2. Which hormone, produced by the adrenal glands, plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress, including the regulation of salt and water balance?

• A. Aldosterone
• B. Epinephrine
• C. Cortisol
• D. Insulin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Aldosterone is the correct answer. It is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress by regulating salt and water balance. Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to increase the reabsorption of sodium and water, helping to maintain blood pressure and electrolyte balance during stressful situations. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, and cortisol are other hormones produced by the adrenal glands, but they have different functions in the stress response. Epinephrine primarily acts to increase heart rate and blood flow in response to stress, while cortisol helps regulate metabolism, immune response, and inflammation. Insulin, on the other hand, is produced by the pancreas and is involved in regulating blood sugar levels, not salt and water balance.

3. Which of the following choices would contain the code for making a protein?

• A. mRNA
• B. tRNA
• C. rRNA
• D. DNA polymerase

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: mRNA (messenger RNA). mRNA contains the genetic code or instructions for making a protein. During protein synthesis, mRNA carries the genetic information from DNA in the cell nucleus to the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized. The sequence of nucleotides in mRNA corresponds to the sequence of amino acids that will be used to build the protein. Choice B, tRNA (transfer RNA), is involved in carrying amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis but does not contain the code for making a protein. Choice C, rRNA (ribosomal RNA), is a component of ribosomes where protein synthesis occurs but does not contain the specific code for making a protein. Choice D, DNA polymerase, is an enzyme involved in DNA replication, not in directly coding for protein synthesis.

4. What is the process of converting glucose into ATP, the cell's primary energy currency, called?

• A. Cellular respiration
• B. Fermentation
• C. Photosynthesis
• D. Hydrolysis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A) Cellular respiration is the correct answer. It is the process by which cells convert glucose into ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell. This process involves a series of biochemical reactions that occur in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells or the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells. Through cellular respiration, the energy stored in glucose molecules is gradually released and captured in the form of ATP. B) Fermentation is an anaerobic process that occurs in the absence of oxygen. It involves the partial breakdown of glucose to produce ATP and end products such as lactic acid or ethanol. While fermentation can generate ATP, it is less efficient than cellular respiration in terms of energy production. C) Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. This process occurs in chloroplasts and is the opposite of cellular respiration. While photosynthesis produces glucose, it is not the process of converting glucose into ATP. D) Hydrolysis is a chemical process that uses water to break down molecules into smaller components. It is not specifically related to converting glucose into ATP.

5. Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is an example of:

• A. Convergent evolution
• B. Divergent evolution
• C. Microevolution
• D. Macroevolution

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a classic example of microevolution (option C). Microevolution refers to changes in allele frequencies within a population over a relatively short period of time. In the case of antibiotic resistance, bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics through the natural selection of pre-existing resistant strains. This process does not involve the formation of new species or higher taxonomic groups, which are associated with macroevolution (option D). Convergent evolution (option A) involves different species independently evolving similar traits in response to similar environmental pressures, which is not the case with antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Divergent evolution (option B) refers to related species becoming more dissimilar over time, which also does not apply to the scenario of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

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