Nursing Elites

1. What is the process by which muscle tissue wastes away due to disuse or lack of nutrients?

• A. Hypertrophy
• B. Atrophy
• C. Fibrosis
• D. Rigor mortis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Atrophy is the correct term for the process by which muscle tissue wastes away due to disuse or lack of nutrients. It is essential to differentiate atrophy from hypertrophy, which is the increase in muscle size due to exercise or strength training. Fibrosis involves the formation of excess fibrous connective tissue, which is distinct from muscle wasting. Rigor mortis, on the other hand, is the stiffening of muscles that occurs after death and is not related to muscle wasting during life.

2. Which type of blood cell is primarily responsible for fighting infections?

• A. Red blood cell
• B. White blood cell
• C. Platelet
• D. Plasma

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: White blood cell. White blood cells are the primary cells responsible for fighting infections and foreign invaders in the body. Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues, platelets help in blood clotting to prevent excessive bleeding, and plasma is the liquid component of blood that carries cells and nutrients. White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, play a crucial role in the immune system by identifying and destroying pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances. Therefore, they are the key players in the body's defense against infections, making them the correct answer in this scenario. While red blood cells, platelets, and plasma have essential functions in the body, they are not primarily responsible for combating infections like white blood cells.

3. Which type of mutation involves a change in the number of chromosomes?

• A. Point mutation
• B. Frameshift mutation
• C. Missense mutation
• D. Aneuploidy

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A) Point mutation involves a change in a single nucleotide base pair within the DNA sequence. B) Frameshift mutation involves the insertion or deletion of nucleotides, causing a shift in the reading frame of the genetic code. C) Missense mutation involves a single nucleotide change that results in a codon that codes for a different amino acid. D) Aneuploidy involves a change in the number of chromosomes, where an individual may have an extra chromosome (trisomy) or a missing chromosome (monosomy). Aneuploidy can lead to genetic disorders such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21) or Turner syndrome (monosomy X). Changing the number of chromosomes is a characteristic feature of aneuploidy, making it the correct answer. Point mutation, frameshift mutation, and missense mutation do not involve a change in the number of chromosomes and are focused on alterations at the nucleotide level within the DNA sequence.

4. Which of the following epithelial tissues lines the stratified squamous epithelium of the esophagus, providing a protective barrier against abrasion from food passage?

• A. Simple squamous epithelium
• B. Stratified squamous epithelium
• C. Simple cuboidal epithelium
• D. Stratified cuboidal epithelium

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is stratified squamous epithelium. This type of epithelium is found in areas subjected to mechanical and chemical stresses, such as the lining of the esophagus. The multiple layers of cells provide protection against abrasion from the passage of food. Simple squamous epithelium (choice A) is a single layer of flat cells and is not well-suited for protection against abrasion as it lacks the multiple layers. Simple cuboidal epithelium (choice C) is found in areas where secretion and absorption occur, such as kidney tubules, and is not typically found in the esophagus where protection against abrasion is necessary. Stratified cuboidal epithelium (choice D) is rare in the body and is not a characteristic tissue type of the esophagus, which requires stratified squamous epithelium for its protective function.

5. Which of the following nucleic acids carries amino acids to organelles called ribosomes, where the amino acids are linked one by one to produce a polypeptide?

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

Correct answer: D

Rationale: tRNA is the correct answer as it carries amino acids to the ribosomes during protein synthesis. Transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a crucial role in protein synthesis by bringing specific amino acids to the ribosome according to the mRNA sequence. Once at the ribosome, the amino acids are linked together to form a polypeptide chain. This process is essential for the creation of proteins in the cell, highlighting the significance of tRNA in the translation process. Choice A, DNA, is incorrect as DNA does not directly participate in protein synthesis. Choice B, mRNA, is incorrect as mRNA carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome but does not directly carry amino acids. Choice C, rRNA, is incorrect as ribosomal RNA is a component of the ribosome structure and is involved in protein synthesis but does not carry amino acids like tRNA.

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