Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary function of red blood cells?

• A. To transport nutrients
• B. To transport oxygen
• C. To fight infection
• D. To produce antibodies

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: To transport oxygen. Red blood cells play a crucial role in carrying oxygen from the lungs to all the tissues and organs in the body. This oxygen transport is essential for cellular respiration, where oxygen is used in the production of energy. Red blood cells do not primarily transport nutrients, fight infection, or produce antibodies. Choice A is incorrect because while red blood cells do carry some nutrients, their primary function is to transport oxygen. Choice C is incorrect because immune cells, not red blood cells, are responsible for fighting infections. Choice D is incorrect as antibody production is mainly carried out by specialized white blood cells, not red blood cells.

2. Which of the following processes describes the conversion of glucose to pyruvic acid during glycolysis?

• A. Glycogenesis
• B. Glycolysis
• C. Glycogenolysis
• D. Gluconeogenesis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Glycolysis. Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway where glucose is broken down to produce pyruvic acid and ATP, generating energy in the form of ATP. Glycogenesis (choice A) is the process of glycogen synthesis, Glycogenolysis (choice C) is the breakdown of glycogen to release glucose, and Gluconeogenesis (choice D) is the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources. Therefore, during glycolysis, glucose is converted into pyruvic acid, which is a crucial step in energy production.

3. What generates action potentials, the all-or-nothing electrical signals traveling along neurons?

• A. Glucose
• B. Sodium and potassium ions
• C. Neurotransmitters
• D. Myelin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Action potentials, the all-or-nothing electrical signals traveling along neurons, are generated by the movement of sodium and potassium ions across the neuronal membrane. This movement creates changes in the membrane potential, leading to the propagation of the electrical signal along the neuron. Glucose is a source of energy for neurons but is not directly involved in generating action potentials. Neurotransmitters are involved in communication between neurons but do not directly generate action potentials. Myelin is a fatty substance that insulates and speeds up the conduction of action potentials but does not generate them.

4. Which of the following layers of skin acts as an energy reserve by storing adipocytes and releasing them into circulation when energy is needed?

• A. epidermis
• B. dermis
• C. hypodermis
• D. stratum basale

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The hypodermis, also known as the subcutaneous tissue, is the deepest layer of the skin. This layer contains adipocytes (fat cells) that act as an energy reserve by storing excess energy in the form of fat. When energy is needed, these stored fats can be released into circulation to be used by the body's cells. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin, primarily responsible for providing a protective barrier. The dermis lies between the epidermis and hypodermis and contains blood vessels, nerves, and structures like hair follicles and sweat glands. The stratum basale is the deepest layer of the epidermis, responsible for cell renewal and regeneration.

5. What is a gene, and what is the relationship between genes, genotype, and phenotype?

• A. A gene is a sequence of amino acids; genes make up proteins; genotype determines phenotype
• B. A gene is a portion of DNA; genes determine traits; genotype is the genetic makeup; phenotype is the physical manifestation
• C. A gene is a protein; proteins determine traits; genotype is the set of all genes
• D. A gene is a lipid; lipids determine traits; phenotype is the physical manifestation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A gene is a portion of DNA that contains the instructions for a specific trait. Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, encompassing all its genes. Phenotype, on the other hand, is the observable physical manifestation resulting from the interaction between an organism's genotype and environmental factors. Choice A is incorrect because genes do not consist of amino acids directly; they are sequences of nucleotides. Choice C is incorrect as genes do not determine traits directly but provide the instructions for proteins that may influence traits. Choice D is incorrect as genes are not lipids, and lipids do not determine traits; they are a type of biomolecule with different functions.

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