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 of the following structures is responsible for gas exchange in the lungs?

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

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. Oxygen from inhaled air diffuses into the blood vessels surrounding the alveoli, while carbon dioxide from the blood is released into the alveoli to be exhaled. The bronchi are air passages that carry air into the lungs but do not participate in gas exchange. The trachea is the windpipe that connects the larynx to the bronchi and serves as an airway for breathing. The diaphragm is a muscle that aids in the breathing process by contracting and relaxing to change the volume of the chest cavity.

3. What is the unit of measurement for density?

• A. Grams per liter (g/L)
• B. Kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³)
• C. Pounds per square inch (psi)
• D. Newtons per meter (N/m)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Density is defined as mass per unit volume. The most commonly used unit for density in the metric system is grams per liter (g/L). Kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) is also a common unit for density, but grams per liter is more frequently used in everyday measurements. Pounds per square inch (psi) is a unit of pressure, not density. Newtons per meter (N/m) is a unit of force per unit length, not density.

4. 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.

5. Which plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) halves?

• A. Sagittal/Median Plane
• B. Frontal/Coronal Plane
• C. Transverse/Cross-Section Plane
• D. Horizontal Plane

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B - Frontal/Coronal Plane. This plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) halves. The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right halves, the transverse plane separates the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions. The horizontal plane is not a standard anatomical term for body division and does not provide division into front and back halves.

Similar Questions