Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following quantities do catalysts alter to control the rate of a chemical reaction?

• A. Substrate energy
• B. Activation energy
• C. Inhibitor energy
• D. Promoter energy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Activation energy. Catalysts function by reducing the activation energy needed for a chemical reaction to proceed. By lowering the activation energy, catalysts facilitate the reaction without being consumed themselves. Substrate energy, inhibitors, and promoters are not directly altered by catalysts in the same way activation energy is. Substrate energy refers to the energy of the reactants, which is not altered by catalysts. Inhibitors increase the activation energy required for a reaction, while promoters enhance the effectiveness of a catalyst but do not represent a quantity altered by catalysts.

2. What is the basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system?

• A. Axon
• B. Neuron
• C. Dendrite
• D. Synapse

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Neuron. Neurons are indeed the basic structural and functional units of the nervous system. Neurons are specialized cells that transmit signals throughout the nervous system, enabling communication and coordination of various functions within the body. While axons, dendrites, and synapses are all essential components of neurons and neural function, the neuron as a whole is considered the fundamental building block responsible for signal transmission. Choice A, Axon, is incorrect because an axon is a part of a neuron responsible for transmitting electrical signals away from the cell body. Choice C, Dendrite, is incorrect because dendrites are extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons. Choice D, Synapse, is incorrect because a synapse is the junction between two neurons where signals are transmitted.

3. What is the function of the cell membrane?

• A. To protect the cell and control what enters and exits
• B. To store energy
• C. To produce proteins
• D. To synthesize lipids

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, serves as a protective barrier for the cell, separating the internal environment of the cell from the external environment. It is selectively permeable, meaning it controls the passage of substances in and out of the cell. This regulation of what enters and exits the cell is crucial for maintaining the cell's internal environment and ensuring proper functioning. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because storing energy, producing proteins, and synthesizing lipids are functions carried out by other cellular structures such as mitochondria, ribosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum, respectively, not the cell membrane.

4. Which of Mendel's Laws states that alleles for a gene segregate during gamete formation?

• A. Law of Independent Assortment
• B. Law of Segregation
• C. Law of Dominance
• D. Law of Probability

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Law of Segregation, proposed by Gregor Mendel, states that alleles for a gene segregate during gamete formation. This means that each parent passes on only one allele for each gene to their offspring. This law explains how genetic diversity is maintained and how different combinations of alleles are generated in offspring. The Law of Independent Assortment (option A) is not the correct answer as it states that alleles of different genes assort independently of each other during gamete formation, not specifically alleles of a single gene. The Law of Dominance (option C) is incorrect as it pertains to the expression of alleles rather than their segregation during gamete formation. The Law of Probability (option D) is also incorrect as it is a general concept describing the likelihood of events, not specifically related to alleles segregating during gamete formation.

5. Which type of immune cell does the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) target and destroy?

• A. Neutrophils
• B. Macrophages
• C. Helper T cells
• D. Memory B cells

Correct answer: C

Rationale: HIV targets and destroys Helper T cells, which are vital for coordinating the immune response against infections. The destruction of Helper T cells weakens the immune system, leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Neutrophils (Choice A) are primarily involved in acute inflammatory responses and fighting bacterial infections. Macrophages (Choice B) play a role in phagocytosis and antigen presentation but are not the primary target of HIV. Memory B cells (Choice D) are responsible for mounting a quicker and more robust antibody response upon re-exposure to a pathogen, but they are not the main target of HIV infection.

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