Nursing Elites

1. What is the process by which a cell divides into two or more new cells?

• A. Mitosis
• B. Meiosis
• C. Both mitosis and meiosis
• D. None of the above

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Mitosis is the process by which a cell divides into two identical daughter cells. This type of cell division is essential for growth, repair, and maintenance of multicellular organisms. Meiosis, on the other hand, is a type of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells) with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Meiosis does not directly result in the formation of new cells, as it is specifically geared towards the production of reproductive cells. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Option C, stating both mitosis and meiosis, is incorrect because meiosis is not involved in the general process of cell division to produce new cells; it is specialized for gamete formation. Option D is incorrect because mitosis is indeed the process responsible for cell division in which one cell divides into two daughter cells, making it the accurate choice for this question.

2. An investigator wishes to test the effect of temperature on the durability of a certain material. He places five blocks of this material in a sunny area in a meadow and five more in a cold area high in the mountains. He then monitors them over time. What is the main problem with this experiment?

• A. Ten subjects are far too small a number to obtain effective results.
• B. It is impossible to control for the fact that the blocks in the mountains were placed later.
• C. There are too many variables that are not being controlled for.
• D. Nothing is wrong with this experiment; this demonstrates good experimental procedure.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The main problem with this experiment is that there are too many variables that are not being controlled for. The investigator is only changing one variable (temperature) while there are other variables at play such as humidity, exposure to light, and potential differences in the material itself. Without controlling or accounting for these additional variables, it would be difficult to determine if any observed differences in durability are solely due to temperature. Choice A is incorrect because the issue is not solely about the number of subjects but about the lack of control over variables. Choice B is not the main problem as the order of placement may not significantly impact the results. Choice D is incorrect as the experiment lacks proper control over variables, which is a crucial aspect of good experimental procedure.

3. Which type of immune cell does the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) target and destroy?

• A. Neutrophils
• B. Macrophages
• C. Helper T cells
• D. Memory B cells

Correct answer: C

Rationale: HIV targets and destroys Helper T cells, which are vital for coordinating the immune response against infections. The destruction of Helper T cells weakens the immune system, leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Neutrophils (Choice A) are primarily involved in acute inflammatory responses and fighting bacterial infections. Macrophages (Choice B) play a role in phagocytosis and antigen presentation but are not the primary target of HIV. Memory B cells (Choice D) are responsible for mounting a quicker and more robust antibody response upon re-exposure to a pathogen, but they are not the main target of HIV infection.

4. What is the temperature of 35°C in Kelvin?

• A. 220
• B. 238
• C. 308
• D. 345

Correct answer: C

Rationale: To convert Celsius to Kelvin, add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature. In this case, 35°C + 273.15 = 308.15 K. Therefore, the correct answer is 308 K. Choice A (220) is incorrect as it does not account for adding 273.15 to convert to Kelvin. Choice B (238) is incorrect as it is not the result of adding 273.15 to 35°C. Choice D (345) is incorrect as it is not the correct conversion of 35°C to Kelvin.

5. What is the significance of studying pedigrees in human genetics?

• A. Predicting the exact outcome of genetic crosses in humans.
• B. Tracing the inheritance of complex traits with multiple contributing genes.
• C. Identifying carriers of dominant genetic disorders.
• D. Determining the risk of acquiring a specific mutation de novo.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Pedigrees are diagrams that show the relationships within a family and can be used to track the inheritance patterns of specific traits or diseases. While pedigrees can provide information on the inheritance of single gene disorders (such as identifying carriers of dominant genetic disorders, as mentioned in option C), their primary significance lies in studying complex traits with multiple contributing genes. These traits do not follow simple Mendelian inheritance patterns and are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. By analyzing pedigrees, researchers can identify patterns of inheritance for complex traits, such as polygenic diseases or traits influenced by gene-environment interactions. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate choice as it captures the main significance of studying pedigrees in human genetics.

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