Nursing Elites

1. Which is a byproduct of fermentation in muscle cells?

• A. Ethanol
• B. Pyruvic acid
• C. Lactic acid
• D. Oxygen

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Lactic acid is a byproduct of fermentation in muscle cells. During intense exercise or when oxygen is limited, muscle cells use anaerobic respiration to generate energy. This process breaks down glucose into lactic acid, which can cause muscle fatigue and soreness. Choice A, Ethanol, is not produced in muscle cells during fermentation. Choice B, Pyruvic acid, is an intermediate product in glucose metabolism but is not a byproduct of fermentation in muscle cells. Choice D, Oxygen, is not a byproduct of fermentation but a reactant in aerobic respiration.

2. What are plasma membranes mostly made of?

• A. Proteins
• B. Carbohydrates
• C. Lipids
• D. Nucleotides

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Lipids. Plasma membranes are primarily composed of lipids, specifically phospholipids, which form a lipid bilayer. While proteins are also an essential component of plasma membranes, they are not the primary constituent. Carbohydrates are present on the outer surface of the membrane but are not the main structural component. Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA and are not the main constituents of plasma membranes.

3. The two catabolic pathways that lead to cellular energy production are:

• A. fermentation and protein synthesis
• B. cellular respiration and glycolysis
• C. fermentation and glycolysis
• D. cellular respiration and fermentation

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: cellular respiration and fermentation. Cellular respiration involves the breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce ATP, which is the primary source of energy for cells. Fermentation, on the other hand, occurs in the absence of oxygen and produces ATP through glycolysis followed by specific fermentation pathways. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Protein synthesis is a biosynthetic process, not a catabolic pathway for energy production. Glycolysis is a common step in both cellular respiration and fermentation, so it is not a pair of distinct catabolic pathways. Therefore, the most accurate pairing of catabolic pathways for cellular energy production is cellular respiration and fermentation.

4. Which of the following is the structure of the male reproductive system that stores spermatozoa during the maturation process?

• A. vas deferens
• B. scrotum
• C. epididymis
• D. testicular artery

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The epididymis is the structure of the male reproductive system that stores spermatozoa during the maturation process. Sperm cells produced in the testes move to the epididymis, where they mature and become motile before being ejaculated. The vas deferens is responsible for transporting mature sperm to the urethra during ejaculation, the scrotum holds the testes and helps regulate their temperature for sperm production, and the testicular artery supplies blood to the testes. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not play a direct role in storing spermatozoa during the maturation process.

5. How do green plants use nitrates in the nitrogen cycle?

• A. To synthesize proteins
• B. To store food
• C. To decompose ammonia
• D. To break down nitrites

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Green plants use nitrates in the nitrogen cycle to synthesize proteins. Nitrogen is an essential component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Plants take up nitrates from the soil through their roots and incorporate nitrogen into their proteins through the process of protein biosynthesis. This helps in their growth, development, and overall health. Choice B, 'To store food,' is incorrect because nitrates are primarily used for protein synthesis, not food storage. Choice C, 'To decompose ammonia,' is incorrect as plants do not decompose ammonia but rather utilize it through nitrification. Choice D, 'To break down nitrites,' is incorrect as plants typically convert nitrites into nitrates through a process called nitrate assimilation for protein synthesis.

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