Nursing Elites

1. What is the structure that attaches to each chromosome during mitosis?

• A. Centromere
• B. Telomere
• C. Spindle apparatus
• D. Nucleolus

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the centromere. It is the structure that attaches to each chromosome during mitosis. The centromere serves as the attachment point for spindle fibers during cell division, ensuring proper distribution of chromosomes to daughter cells. Telomeres are found at the ends of chromosomes, providing protection and stability. The spindle apparatus is responsible for separating chromosomes during cell division. The nucleolus, located within the nucleus, is involved in ribosomal RNA synthesis and not in chromosome attachment during mitosis.

2. What is the difference between polygenic inheritance and pleiotropy?

• A. Polygenic inheritance involves multiple genes influencing one trait, while pleiotropy involves one gene affecting multiple traits.
• B. Polygenic inheritance is found in simple Mendelian traits, while pleiotropy is found in complex traits.
• C. Polygenic inheritance is always quantitative, while pleiotropy can be qualitative or quantitative.
• D. Both involve multiple genes and multiple traits, but the specific mechanisms differ

Correct answer: A

Rationale: - Polygenic inheritance refers to the situation where a trait is influenced by multiple genes, each contributing a small effect to the phenotype. These traits often show continuous variation and are not easily categorized into discrete categories. - Pleiotropy, on the other hand, occurs when a single gene influences multiple, seemingly unrelated traits. This means that a mutation in one gene can lead to multiple phenotypic effects across different traits or characteristics. - Therefore, the key difference between polygenic inheritance and pleiotropy lies in the number of genes involved in influencing a trait (multiple genes in polygenic inheritance vs. one gene in pleiotropy) and the direction of influence (one trait affected by multiple genes in polygenic inheritance vs. multiple traits affected by one gene in pleiotropy).

3. Which cells myelinate neurons in the PNS?

• A. Oligodendrocytes
• B. Astrocytes
• C. Schwann cells
• D. Microglia

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Schwann cells are the glial cells responsible for myelinating neurons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). They form the myelin sheath around axons, which helps in the conduction of electrical impulses. Oligodendrocytes, on the other hand, myelinate neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes primarily provide support for neuronal function by regulating the chemical environment around neurons and maintaining the blood-brain barrier. Microglia are part of the immune response in the CNS, where they act as the resident macrophages, playing a role in immune surveillance and response to injury or disease. Therefore, the correct answer is Schwann cells (Choice C) as they specifically myelinate neurons in the PNS, differentiating them from the other cell types mentioned in the choices.

4. Which type of waves travel by causing particles in the medium to vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel?

• A. Transverse waves
• B. Longitudinal waves
• C. Surface waves
• D. Electromagnetic waves

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Longitudinal waves are waves in which particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel. These waves are characterized by compressions and rarefactions in the medium, where particles move back and forth in the same direction as the wave. Transverse waves, on the other hand, cause particles to vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel. Surface waves combine both longitudinal and transverse motion, making them different from pure longitudinal waves. Electromagnetic waves, unlike longitudinal and transverse waves, do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.

5. Which term best describes the gradual change in a species over time in response to environmental pressures?

• A. Punctuated equilibrium (rapid bursts of evolution)
• B. Gradualism (slow and continuous change)
• C. Founder effect (genetic drift in a small population)
• D. Adaptive radiation (rapid diversification of a species)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A) Punctuated equilibrium refers to rapid bursts of evolution followed by long periods of stability, rather than gradual change over time in response to environmental pressures. B) Gradualism is the process by which species evolve through slow and continuous changes over time in response to environmental pressures. This gradual change can lead to the development of new traits and adaptations. C) Founder effect is a type of genetic drift that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to a loss of genetic variation compared to the original population. It does not specifically describe the gradual change in a species over time. D) Adaptive radiation is the rapid diversification of a species into a variety of forms to exploit different ecological niches, but it does not specifically refer to the gradual change in response to environmental pressures. Therefore, the term that best describes the gradual change in a species over time in response to environmental pressures is 'Gradualism.'

Similar Questions