Nursing Elites

1. Which hormone is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress?

• A. Insulin
• B. Cortisol
• C. Adrenaline
• D. Glucagon

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Adrenaline is the correct answer. It is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress to prepare the body for the 'fight or flight' response. Adrenaline increases heart rate, dilates airways, and mobilizes energy stores to help the body deal with the perceived threat. Insulin (Choice A) is produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels, not in response to stress. Cortisol (Choice B) is another hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, but it primarily helps regulate metabolism and immune response. Glucagon (Choice D) is also produced by the pancreas to increase blood sugar levels when they are low, not by the adrenal glands in response to stress.

2. 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.

3. Which part of the brain is responsible for higher brain functions, such as thought and action?

• A. Amygdala
• B. Brain stem
• C. Cerebellum
• D. Cerebrum

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The cerebrum is the correct answer as it is responsible for higher brain functions like thought and action. The amygdala (Choice A) is involved in emotions and emotional responses, not higher brain functions. The brain stem (Choice B) controls basic life functions such as breathing and heart rate, not higher brain functions. The cerebellum (Choice C) is mainly responsible for motor control and coordination, not higher brain functions like thought and action.

4. Which part of the nervous system is responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response?

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

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response, triggering the body's automatic response to a perceived threat or danger. This system initiates physiological changes like increased heart rate, dilated pupils, and the release of adrenaline, preparing the body to confront or escape the threat. The somatic nervous system (Choice A) controls voluntary movements, the parasympathetic nervous system (Choice B) is responsible for the 'rest and digest' response to promote relaxation and digestion, and the enteric nervous system (Choice D) regulates the gastrointestinal system. Therefore, they are not associated with the 'fight-or-flight' response.

5. Which group of antibiotics targets the cell wall of bacteria?

• A. Penicillins
• B. Tetracyclines
• C. Macrolides
• D. Fluoroquinolones

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Penicillins are a group of antibiotics that target the bacterial cell wall by inhibiting the synthesis of peptidoglycan, a vital component of the cell wall. This inhibition weakens the cell wall, leading to bacterial cell lysis and death. Penicillins are particularly effective against Gram-positive bacteria due to their mechanism of action. Tetracyclines (B) inhibit protein synthesis, Macrolides (C) interfere with bacterial ribosomes, and Fluoroquinolones (D) target bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. Unlike Penicillins, these antibiotics do not directly target the cell wall of bacteria.

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