Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following best describes one of the roles of RNA?

• A. Manufacturing the proteins needed from DNA
• B. Creating the bonds between the elements that make up DNA
• C. Sending messages about the correct sequence of proteins in DNA
• D. Forming the identifiable double helix shape of DNA

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. RNA serves as a messenger that carries instructions from DNA for protein synthesis. It does not manufacture proteins directly from DNA (choice A), create bonds within DNA (choice B), or form the double helix structure of DNA (choice D). Therefore, the primary role of RNA is to convey information about the correct sequence of proteins to be synthesized based on the DNA sequences it receives.

2. What is the function of the pleurae?

• A. To compartmentalize and lubricate the lungs
• B. To facilitate the flow of air
• C. To produce mucus
• D. To serve as the passageway for air

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The pleurae play a crucial role in compartmentalizing and lubricating the lungs. The pleura is a double-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity. This double-layered structure reduces friction between the lungs and the chest wall during breathing movements, allowing smooth expansion and contraction of the lungs. Options B, C, and D are incorrect. Option B, 'To facilitate the flow of air,' is incorrect because while the pleurae are involved in the respiratory process, their primary function is not to directly facilitate the flow of air. Option C, 'To produce mucus,' is incorrect as the production of mucus is not a primary function of the pleurae. Option D, 'To serve as the passageway for air,' is incorrect as the passageway for air refers to the air passages like the trachea and bronchi, not the pleurae. Therefore, option A is correct as it accurately describes the function of the pleurae.

3. What are the phases of bacterial growth and infection?

• A. Lag, exponential, stationary, death
• B. Exponential, stationary, lag, death
• C. Stationary, exponential, lag, death
• D. Lag, stationary, exponential, death

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lag, exponential, stationary, death. The phases of bacterial growth start with the lag phase where bacteria acclimate to their environment, followed by the exponential phase characterized by rapid growth. This is then followed by the stationary phase where growth slows as resources deplete, and finally, the death phase where the population declines. Choice B is incorrect as it has the order of phases mixed up. Choice C is incorrect as it also has the order of phases mixed up. Choice D is incorrect as it has the stationary phase occurring before the exponential phase, which is inaccurate.

4. What is the role of the pancreas in regulating blood sugar levels?

• A. To produce insulin only
• B. To produce both insulin and glucagon
• C. To store glucose
• D. To produce adrenaline

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The pancreas plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by producing both insulin and glucagon. Insulin helps lower blood sugar levels by promoting the uptake of glucose into cells, while glucagon raises blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of stored glucose into the bloodstream. Choice A is incorrect because the pancreas produces both insulin and glucagon. Choice C is incorrect because the pancreas does not store glucose; instead, it regulates glucose levels. Choice D is incorrect because adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands, not the pancreas, and is not directly involved in regulating blood sugar levels.

5. 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.

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