Nursing Elites

1. Which enzyme functions to break down lactose, a specific sugar found in milk and dairy products?

• A. Catalase
• B. Lipase
• C. Protease
• D. Lactase

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Lactase is the enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose, a sugar present in milk and dairy products. When lactase breaks down lactose, it splits it into two simpler sugars, glucose, and galactose, which can then be absorbed and used by the body. Catalase is involved in breaking down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. Lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol. Protease breaks down proteins into amino acids. Therefore, choices A, B, and C are incorrect for the specific breakdown of lactose.

2. Which type of muscle is under voluntary control?

• A. Smooth muscle
• B. Cardiac muscle
• C. Skeletal muscle
• D. Striated muscle

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is under voluntary control, allowing individuals to consciously regulate its contractions for movement. Examples of skeletal muscle control include actions like walking, running, and lifting weights. Smooth muscle (choice A) and cardiac muscle (choice B) are both involuntary muscles, meaning they are not under conscious control. While skeletal muscle is striated (choice D), striated muscle is a broader category that includes both voluntary (skeletal) and involuntary (cardiac) muscles.

3. When an individual is under stress, hormones are released. Which of the following is not one of the locations where hormones are released when under stress?

• A. Parathyroid gland
• B. Adrenal cortex
• C. Posterior pituitary
• D. Hypothalamus

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The parathyroid gland is not a location where hormones are typically released during stress. It primarily regulates calcium levels in the blood through the release of parathyroid hormone (PTH). On the other hand, the adrenal cortex releases hormones like cortisol in response to stress, the posterior pituitary releases oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone, and the hypothalamus plays a crucial role in coordinating stress responses through the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Therefore, the parathyroid gland is the correct answer as it is not directly involved in the stress response pathway.

4. What is the function of the stomach in digestion?

• A. To absorb nutrients
• B. To break down food
• C. To secrete digestive enzymes
• D. To store glucose

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To break down food.' The stomach's primary function in digestion is to break down food mechanically and chemically. It accomplishes this by mixing food with gastric acid and digestive enzymes, resulting in the formation of chyme, a semi-liquid mixture that moves on to further digestion in the small intestine. Choice A is incorrect because the absorption of nutrients occurs mainly in the small intestine, not in the stomach. Choice C is incorrect because while the stomach does secrete digestive enzymes like pepsin, its primary role is not just limited to enzyme secretion. Choice D is incorrect because the storage of glucose primarily occurs in the liver and muscles, not in the stomach.

5. Which part of the brain controls balance and coordination?

• A. Cerebellum
• B. Cerebrum
• C. Medulla oblongata
• D. Brainstem

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the cerebellum. Located at the back of the brain, the cerebellum plays a crucial role in controlling balance, coordination, and fine motor movements. It receives information from the sensory systems, the spinal cord, and other parts of the brain to coordinate voluntary movements and maintain posture. Damage to the cerebellum can result in issues with balance, coordination, and muscle tone. The cerebrum is responsible for higher brain functions like thinking and problem-solving, the medulla oblongata controls vital autonomic functions like breathing and heartbeat, and the brainstem serves as a pathway for neural fibers traveling to and from the brain.

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