Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following glands is responsible for regulating metabolism?

• A. Thymus
• B. Pituitary
• C. Pancreas
• D. Thyroid

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Thyroid. The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating metabolism by producing thyroid hormones. These hormones play a crucial role in controlling various metabolic processes in the body, including energy production and utilization. Choice A, Thymus, is not responsible for regulating metabolism but plays a role in the immune system. Choice B, Pituitary, regulates various hormones but not specifically focused on metabolism. Choice C, Pancreas, is involved in insulin production and blood sugar regulation but is not primarily responsible for regulating metabolism.

2. Which type of muscle is found in the walls of hollow organs, such as the stomach and intestines, and is responsible for involuntary contractions to propel substances through the organs?

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

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Smooth muscle is the correct answer. It is found in the walls of hollow organs like the stomach and intestines, where it performs involuntary contractions to move substances through these organs. Cardiac muscle, found in the heart, is responsible for pumping blood. Skeletal muscle is attached to bones and involved in voluntary movements. Striated muscle is a term often used interchangeably with skeletal muscle, which is responsible for voluntary movements but not typically found in the walls of hollow organs like the stomach and intestines.

3. What are Merkel cells, located in the epidermis, specialized for?

• A. Melanin production
• B. Temperature sensation
• C. Touch perception
• D. Immune defense

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Merkel cells are specialized touch receptors located in the epidermis of the skin. Their primary function is to perceive light touch and pressure. They play a crucial role in the sensory perception of touch stimuli. Option A, melanin production, is incorrect because Merkel cells are not involved in producing melanin. Option B, temperature sensation, is incorrect as Merkel cells are not specialized for sensing temperature. Option D, immune defense, is also incorrect as Merkel cells do not have a role in immune defense mechanisms.

4. How do isotopes affect the atomic mass of an element?

• A. Isotopes have no effect on the atomic mass of an element.
• B. Isotopes cause the atomic mass of an element to vary slightly.
• C. Isotopes cause the atomic mass of an element to be exactly the same for all isotopes of that element.
• D. Isotopes cause the atomic mass of an element to vary greatly.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Since the atomic mass of an element is the weighted average of the masses of its isotopes, the presence of isotopes causes the atomic mass of an element to vary slightly. This variation occurs because different isotopes have different masses due to their varying numbers of neutrons. The atomic mass is affected by the abundance of each isotope, leading to a slight fluctuation in the overall atomic mass of the element. Choice A is incorrect because isotopes do influence the atomic mass. Choice C is incorrect because isotopes have different masses, affecting the overall atomic mass. Choice D is incorrect as isotopes typically do not cause a significant variation in atomic mass, but rather a slight fluctuation.

5. What is the process by which a cell divides to produce two daughter cells?

• A. Mitosis
• B. Meiosis
• C. Differentiation
• D. Transformation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Mitosis is the correct answer because it is the process of cell division that results in the production of two daughter cells with identical genetic material to the parent cell. Meiosis, while also involving cell division, leads to the formation of gametes with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Differentiation is the specialization of cells for specific functions, not the process of cell division. Transformation involves a cell incorporating foreign DNA into its genome, which is unrelated to the division of a cell into two daughter cells.

Similar Questions