Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary function of the digestive system?

• A. To break down food into nutrients
• B. To absorb oxygen
• C. To produce energy
• D. To regulate body temperature

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'To break down food into nutrients.' The primary function of the digestive system is to break down food into nutrients that can be absorbed by the body for energy, growth, and repair. The digestive system is not responsible for absorbing oxygen (Choice B), as that is the role of the respiratory system. While the digestion process does release energy from nutrients, the primary function is not to produce energy (Choice C), but rather to extract nutrients for energy production. Regulating body temperature (Choice D) is primarily handled by the thermoregulatory mechanisms in the body, such as the skin and sweat glands, not the digestive system.

2. What is the independent variable in the botanist's experiment?

• A. Temperature
• B. Root tissue
• C. Light exposure
• D. Root length

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In an experiment, the independent variable is the factor that is deliberately manipulated or changed by the researcher. The botanist is likely altering the temperature to observe its effect on the plants. Therefore, temperature is the independent variable in the botanist's experiment. Choice B, root tissue, is not the independent variable as it is not the factor being intentionally changed in the experiment. Choice C, light exposure, and choice D, root length, are also not the independent variables as they are not the factors being purposely manipulated by the researcher in this scenario.

3. Which of the following is part of the central nervous system?

• A. Spinal cord
• B. Peripheral nerves
• C. Brainstem
• D. Cerebellum

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Spinal cord. The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord plays a crucial role in transmitting information between the brain and the body. Choices B, C, and D are not part of the central nervous system. Peripheral nerves belong to the peripheral nervous system, whereas the brainstem and cerebellum are components of the brain, distinct from the central nervous system.

4. What cells compose the epidermis?

• A. Keratinocytes
• B. Epithelial cells
• C. Fibroblasts
• D. Melanocytes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A - Keratinocytes. The epidermis is primarily composed of keratinocytes, which are a type of epithelial cell. Keratinocytes synthesize the protein keratin, providing protection against physical damage and water loss. While epithelial cells are correct, specifying keratinocytes is more precise. Fibroblasts are not the main cell type in the epidermis; they are found in the dermis, where they produce collagen and other extracellular matrix components. Melanocytes are responsible for producing melanin pigment in the skin and are also present in the epidermis, but they are not the predominant cell type like keratinocytes.

5. Neurotransmitters send chemical messages across the gap between one neuron and another through which of the following structures?

• A. Schwann cell
• B. ganglion
• C. synapse
• D. axon

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Neurotransmitters send chemical messages across the gap between one neuron and another through a structure called the synapse. The synapse is a specialized junction where the axon of one neuron meets the dendrite or cell body of another neuron. Neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron and travel across the synaptic cleft to bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, transmitting the signal between the two neurons. Choice A, Schwann cell, is incorrect as Schwann cells are responsible for producing myelin sheath around axons in the peripheral nervous system, not for transmitting neurotransmitters between neurons. Choice B, ganglion, is incorrect as ganglia are clusters of nerve cell bodies outside the central nervous system and do not directly participate in the transmission of chemical messages between neurons. Choice D, axon, is incorrect as the axon is a long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body and towards the axon terminals, where neurotransmitters are released into the synapse, but it is not the structure across which neurotransmitters travel to communicate between neurons.

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