Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following is NOT an element of the respiratory system?

• A. Ribs
• B. Trachea
• C. Diaphragm
• D. Alveoli

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ribs. The ribs are part of the skeletal system, providing structure and protection to the thoracic cavity. The trachea, diaphragm, and alveoli are all essential components of the respiratory system. The trachea carries air to and from the lungs, the diaphragm aids in breathing by contracting and relaxing to change the volume of the thoracic cavity, and the alveoli are tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs in the lungs. Therefore, ribs do not play a direct role in the respiratory process and are not considered a part of the respiratory system.

2. How does ingested food move through the digestive tract?

• A. Chewing, digestion, absorption
• B. Swallowing, peristalsis, segmentation
• C. Swallowing, mastication, defecation
• D. Digestion, absorption, excretion

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Swallowing, peristalsis, segmentation. Food moves through the digestive tract by first being swallowed, then undergoing peristalsis (wave-like movements that propel food along the digestive tract), and finally undergoing segmentation (mixing movements in the intestines). Chewing and digestion occur in the mouth and stomach, respectively, while absorption and excretion happen later in the digestive process. Choice A is incorrect as absorption is a later stage in the process. Choice C is incorrect because defecation is the elimination of waste, not the movement of food. Choice D is incorrect as excretion is the elimination of waste products, not the movement of ingested food through the digestive tract.

3. How does the body maintain a relatively constant blood pH level, even with changes in blood carbon dioxide concentration?

• A. Cellular respiration
• B. Gas exchange
• C. Buffering system
• D. Deoxygenation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Buffering system. The buffering system is responsible for maintaining a relatively constant blood pH level by minimizing changes in pH when acids or bases are added to the blood. This system consists of chemical compounds that can donate or accept protons to help stabilize the pH. Choice A, Cellular respiration, and Choice B, Gas exchange, are processes involved in gas exchange within the body, not specifically related to maintaining blood pH. Choice D, Deoxygenation, refers to the removal of oxygen from a substance and is not directly related to the regulation of blood pH.

4. Which biome is characterized by cold temperatures, permafrost, and coniferous trees?

• A. Tundra
• B. Desert
• C. Rainforest
• D. Savanna

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A) Tundra: This biome is characterized by cold temperatures, permafrost (permanently frozen subsoil), and vegetation such as mosses, lichens, and coniferous trees like spruce and fir. The tundra is found in high latitudes near the Arctic Circle and high altitudes in mountainous regions. It is a cold and harsh environment where the ground remains frozen for a significant part of the year. The coniferous trees in this biome are adapted to survive in extreme cold conditions. B) Desert: Deserts are characterized by low precipitation levels and high temperatures, with sparse vegetation adapted to arid conditions. C) Rainforest: Rainforests are characterized by high levels of rainfall, warm temperatures, and dense vegetation with a variety of plant and animal species. D) Savanna: Savannas are tropical grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs, characterized by a distinct wet and dry season. They have a different climate pattern compared to the cold temperatures and permafrost found in the tundra biome. In this case, the description of cold temperatures, permafrost, and coniferous trees aligns most closely with the characteristics of the tundra biome, making option A the correct answer.

5. What is the process of making copies of RNA from DNA called?

• A. Replication
• B. Transcription
• C. Translation
• D. DNA repair

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Transcription is the correct answer. Transcription is the process of making copies of RNA from DNA. During transcription, the enzyme RNA polymerase binds to a specific region of DNA and synthesizes a complementary RNA strand based on the DNA template. This process is essential for gene expression and protein synthesis in cells. Replication (option A) refers to the process of making copies of DNA, not RNA. Translation (option C) is the process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA, not making copies of RNA from DNA. DNA repair (option D) involves mechanisms that cells use to repair damaged DNA, not the process of making RNA copies from DNA.

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