Nursing Elites

1. Which element is used in fertilizers due to its role in plant cell division and growth?

• A. Potassium
• B. Phosphorus
• C. Calcium
• D. Magnesium

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Phosphorus is the correct answer. It is used in fertilizers due to its essential role in plant cell division and growth. Phosphorus is a key component of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, which are essential for cell division and growth in plants. Potassium (Choice A) is important for overall plant health and functions like enzyme activation, but it is not specifically known for its role in cell division and growth. Calcium (Choice C) is crucial for cell wall structure and stability but not primarily for cell division. Magnesium (Choice D) is essential for chlorophyll production and photosynthesis, but it is not directly linked to plant cell division and growth.

2. Decomposers in an ecosystem play a vital role by:

• A. Photosynthesizing and producing organic matter
• B. Breaking down dead organisms and returning nutrients to the environment
• C. Preying on herbivores and controlling their populations
• D. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it available to plants

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler substances. By doing so, they help to recycle nutrients back into the environment, making them available for other organisms to use. This process is essential for the functioning of ecosystems, as it ensures that nutrients are not lost but instead are continuously cycled through the ecosystem. Photosynthesis (option A) is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, and it is not a role of decomposers. Preying on herbivores (option C) is a role typically carried out by predators, not decomposers. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere (option D) is a process carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria, not decomposers.

3. What happens to the density of a gas when its temperature increases at constant pressure?

• A. It increases.
• B. It decreases.
• C. It remains the same.
• D. Information is insufficient.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When the temperature of a gas increases at constant pressure, the average kinetic energy of the gas molecules increases. This leads to the gas molecules moving faster and spreading out more, which causes them to occupy a larger volume. As a result, the density of the gas decreases because the same number of gas molecules are now distributed over a larger space. Choice A is incorrect because as the gas molecules spread out, the density decreases. Choice C is incorrect because the increase in temperature leads to a decrease in density due to the increased volume occupied by the gas molecules. Choice D is incorrect because with the provided scenario of temperature increase at constant pressure, the effect on density can be determined.

4. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissues. What is a potential cause of autoimmune diseases?

• A. Deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals
• B. Exposure to environmental toxins
• C. Breakdown in immune cell self-tolerance mechanisms
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Autoimmune diseases result from a breakdown in immune cell self-tolerance mechanisms, leading to the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy body tissues. While deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals or exposure to environmental toxins can impact overall health, they are not direct causes of autoimmune diseases. Deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals may weaken the immune system, making it more susceptible to various health issues but does not directly cause autoimmune diseases. Exposure to environmental toxins can trigger immune responses, but autoimmune diseases specifically stem from the breakdown of self-tolerance mechanisms within immune cells. Therefore, the correct answer is a breakdown in immune cell self-tolerance mechanisms.

5. Which nervous system controls the involuntary 'fight-or-flight' response?

• A. Sympathetic nervous system
• B. Parasympathetic nervous system
• C. Enteric nervous system
• D. Sensory nervous system

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for activating the body's response to stress or danger, leading to the 'fight-or-flight' response. It prepares the body for action by increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and redirecting blood flow to muscles. Choice B, the parasympathetic nervous system, is responsible for the body's 'rest-and-digest' activities, which are opposite to the 'fight-or-flight' response. Choice C, the enteric nervous system, primarily regulates the gastrointestinal system and is not directly involved in the 'fight-or-flight' response. Choice D, the sensory nervous system, transmits sensory information from the body to the central nervous system and is not responsible for the physiological changes associated with the 'fight-or-flight' response.

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