Nursing Elites

1. What is the role of RNA interference in silencing genes?

• A. Increases protein production
• B. Promotes gene mutation
• C. Inhibits the expression of specific genes
• D. Repairs damaged DNA

Correct answer: C

Rationale: RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process that involves the silencing of gene expression by inhibiting the translation of mRNA or by degrading mRNA molecules. This mechanism plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and can be used to selectively silence specific genes. By interfering with the expression of specific genes, RNAi can downregulate protein production from those genes. Therefore, option C, 'Inhibits the expression of specific genes,' is the correct role of RNA interference in silencing genes. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because RNA interference does not increase protein production, promote gene mutation, or repair damaged DNA; its primary function is to inhibit gene expression by degrading or interfering with mRNA.

2. The acceleration of a falling object due to gravity has been proven to be 9.8 m/s^2. A scientist drops a cactus four times and measures the acceleration with an accelerometer and gets the following results: 9.79 m/s^2, 9.81 m/s^2, 9.80 m/s^2, and 9.78 m/s^2. Which of the following accurately describes the measurements?

• A. They're both accurate and precise.
• B. They're accurate but not precise.
• C. They're precise but not accurate.
• D. They're neither accurate nor precise.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The measurements are close to the true value of 9.8 m/s^2 and are also close to each other, indicating both accuracy and precision. Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision refers to how close repeated measurements are to each other. In this case, the measurements are accurate because they are close to the accepted value of 9.8 m/s^2, and they are precise because they are clustered closely around each other. Therefore, choice A, 'They're both accurate and precise,' is the correct answer. Choice B is incorrect because the measurements are precise as they are close to each other, but they are also accurate as they are close to the true value. Choice C is incorrect because the measurements are accurate as they are close to the true value, and choice D is incorrect because the measurements exhibit both accuracy and precision in this scenario.

3. Adaptive radiation refers to the evolutionary process where:

• A. A single ancestral species diversifies into multiple descendant species due to ecological pressures in a heterogeneous environment.
• B. Two unrelated species evolve similar adaptations in response to similar environments, leading to convergent evolution.
• C. A population becomes increasingly well-adapted to its current environment through continued natural selection.
• D. The fossil record exhibits gaps or missing links in the evolutionary history of a lineage.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: - Adaptive radiation is a process where a single ancestral species diversifies into multiple descendant species to exploit different ecological niches within a heterogeneous environment. - This diversification occurs due to the different selective pressures present in various habitats, leading to the evolution of distinct traits and adaptations in different descendant species. - Option A accurately describes the process of adaptive radiation, where the initial species undergoes rapid speciation to occupy different ecological roles and adapt to diverse environmental conditions. - Options B, C, and D do not accurately describe adaptive radiation but refer to other evolutionary processes such as convergent evolution, natural selection, and gaps in the fossil record, respectively.

4. During which phase of the cell cycle does cytokinesis typically occur?

• A. Interphase
• B. Mitosis
• C. Meiosis
• D. G2 phase

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Cytokinesis is the process of dividing the cytoplasm of a cell into two daughter cells after the nucleus has divided during mitosis. In the cell cycle, cytokinesis typically occurs at the end of the mitotic phase, following the separation of the duplicated chromosomes into two identical sets in the daughter nuclei. Interphase (option A) is the phase where the cell grows, carries out its normal functions, and prepares for cell division, but cytokinesis does not occur during this phase. Meiosis (option C) is a specialized type of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms to produce gametes, and cytokinesis occurs at the end of meiosis II, not meiosis I. G2 phase (option D) is the phase of the cell cycle following DNA replication in S phase and preceding mitosis, where the cell prepares for cell division, but cytokinesis occurs during mitosis, not in the G2 phase.

5. Which of the following substances has an acidic pH?

• A. Lemon juice
• B. Blood
• C. Urine
• D. Salt water

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Lemon juice, which has an acidic pH typically around 2 due to its citric acid content. Blood, urine, and salt water are not typically acidic in nature. Blood has a slightly basic pH, urine can vary but is usually slightly acidic to neutral, and salt water is neutral to slightly alkaline. Lemon juice is a commonly known acidic substance, often used in cooking and cleaning due to its acidic properties.

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