Nursing Elites

1. Which of these pairs represents an example of convergent evolution?

• A. Humans and chimpanzees
• B. Bats and birds
• C. Dolphins and sharks
• D. Snakes and earthworms

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Convergent evolution refers to the process by which different species independently evolve similar traits or characteristics due to similar environmental pressures. In the case of bats and birds, both have evolved wings for flight despite not sharing a recent common ancestor with wings. Bats are mammals, while birds are avians, yet they both have wings adapted for flight, which is a classic example of convergent evolution. A) Humans and chimpanzees share a common ancestor and have not independently evolved similar traits. C) Dolphins and sharks are not closely related, and their similarities are due to adaptations to their aquatic environment rather than convergent evolution. D) Snakes and earthworms belong to different classes (reptiles and annelids, respectively) and do not share recent common ancestors, making their similarities not a result of convergent evolution.

2. Which part of the neuron insulates and speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses along the axon?

• A. Dendrite
• B. Myelin sheath
• C. Synapse
• D. Cell body

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that surrounds the axon of a neuron, providing insulation and speeding up the transmission of nerve impulses. This insulation helps prevent the loss of electrical signals as they travel along the axon, allowing for faster and more efficient communication within the nervous system. Dendrites are branching extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons, the synapse is the junction between two neurons where communication occurs, and the cell body contains the nucleus and organelles of the neuron, but none of these structures provide insulation for the transmission of nerve impulses along the axon.

3. Blood is carried away from the heart in large vessels known as which of the following?

• A. Arteries
• B. Arterioles
• C. Veins
• D. Venules

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Arteries. Arteries are the large blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to various parts of the body. They have thick, muscular walls to withstand the high pressure generated by the heart's pumping action. Choice B, Arterioles, are smaller branches of arteries that further divide into capillaries. Choice C, Veins, carry blood back to the heart and have thinner walls compared to arteries. Choice D, Venules, are smaller veins that collect blood from capillaries and merge into larger veins.

4. How are the motor pathways of the ANS arranged?

• A. Single neuron from CNS to target organ
• B. Two neurons, a pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic neuron
• C. Multiple neurons from CNS to target organ
• D. Single neuron from CNS to peripheral ganglia

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The motor pathways of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are organized with two neurons: a pre-ganglionic neuron that transmits the signal from the central nervous system (CNS) to a ganglion, and a post-ganglionic neuron that conveys the signal from the ganglion to the target organ. This dual-neuron pathway enables the integration and modulation of signals before reaching the target organ, allowing for a more sophisticated and adaptable control system. Choice A is incorrect as it describes a single neuron pathway, which is not characteristic of ANS motor pathways. Choice C is incorrect as it suggests multiple neurons from the CNS to the target organ, which is not the typical arrangement. Choice D is incorrect as it describes a single neuron pathway from the CNS to peripheral ganglia, which does not account for the ganglionic transmission in ANS motor pathways.

5. What is the name of the muscular ring that controls the passage of food from the esophagus to the stomach?

• A. Pyloric sphincter
• B. Cardiac sphincter
• C. Ileocecal valve
• D. Sphincter of Oddi

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the Cardiac sphincter (lower esophageal sphincter). It is situated at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach, controlling the passage of food into the stomach. The cardiac sphincter opens and closes to regulate the flow of food and prevent reflux. The pyloric sphincter, on the other hand, is located between the stomach and the small intestine, not the esophagus and stomach. The ileocecal valve is positioned between the small and large intestines, while the Sphincter of Oddi is found in the duodenum, not between the esophagus and stomach.

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