Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following terms refers to the degeneration of nerve tissue?

• A. Potentiation
• B. Demyelination
• C. Reuptake
• D. Neurogenesis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Demyelination specifically refers to the degeneration of the myelin sheath that covers nerve fibers. When demyelination occurs, nerve function and communication can be impaired. Potentiation involves the strengthening of synaptic connections, reuptake is the reabsorption process of neurotransmitters by the presynaptic neuron, and neurogenesis is the generation of new neurons. Therefore, the correct term for the degeneration of nerve tissue among the options provided is demyelination.

2. Which of the following is a function of the kidneys?

• A. To produce digestive enzymes
• B. To filter waste from the blood
• C. To produce white blood cells
• D. To produce red blood cells

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To filter waste from the blood.' The kidneys are vital organs responsible for filtering waste products from the blood, regulating fluid and electrolyte balance, and producing urine. Choice A is incorrect because the production of digestive enzymes primarily occurs in the pancreas and salivary glands. Choice C is incorrect as the production of white blood cells mainly takes place in the bone marrow and lymphatic system. Choice D is incorrect as the production of red blood cells occurs in the bone marrow.

3. What is the structural and functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood?

• A. Nephron
• B. Ureter
• C. Urethra
• D. Bladder

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nephron is the correct answer. It is the structural and functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood. The nephron consists of a renal corpuscle (glomerulus and Bowman's capsule) and a renal tubule. Within the nephron, blood is filtered to form urine, which is then carried to the ureter for excretion from the body. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the ureter, urethra, and bladder are not involved in the filtration of blood in the kidney. Instead, they are parts of the urinary system responsible for transporting and storing urine.

4. What is the function of introns in eukaryotic genes?

• A. They code for protein sequences.
• B. They are involved in gene regulation.
• C. They are removed during mRNA processing.
• D. They are non-functional remnants of ancient DNA.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Introns do not code for protein sequences. Exons are the segments of DNA that code for proteins. B) While introns can indirectly influence gene regulation, their primary function is not directly involved in gene regulation. C) Introns are non-coding regions of DNA that are transcribed into pre-mRNA but are removed during mRNA processing through a process called splicing. This allows only the exons to be included in the mature mRNA that will be translated into proteins. D) While introns were once thought to be non-functional remnants of ancient DNA, research has shown that they can have regulatory functions and play a role in gene expression.

5. If a biochemist isolates a large amount of pyruvate, which part of the cell is he working with?

• A. Chloroplasts
• B. Cytoplasm
• C. Mitochondria
• D. Nucleus

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cytoplasm. Pyruvate is a product of glycolysis, a metabolic pathway that takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell. Therefore, a biochemist isolating a large amount of pyruvate would be working with the cytoplasm of the cell. Choice A, Chloroplasts, is incorrect because pyruvate is not produced in chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis. Choice C, Mitochondria, is incorrect as pyruvate is produced in the cytoplasm before entering the mitochondria for further metabolism. Choice D, Nucleus, is incorrect as the nucleus is not involved in the production or isolation of pyruvate, which is a metabolic intermediate.

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