Nursing Elites

1. Which organ helps break down food by grinding it with your teeth?

• A. Stomach
• B. Esophagus
• C. Liver
• D. Mouth

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Mouth. The mouth is the organ that helps break down food by grinding it with your teeth. The process of chewing, also known as mastication, breaks down food into smaller pieces, making it easier to swallow and digest. The teeth in the mouth play a crucial role in this initial stage of digestion by physically breaking down food into smaller particles. The other options listed, such as the stomach, esophagus, and liver, do not directly participate in the mechanical breakdown of food through chewing. The stomach is responsible for further digestion through chemical processes, the esophagus is a muscular tube that helps transport food to the stomach, and the liver is primarily involved in metabolic functions and bile production.

2. Which enzyme found in saliva is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates into smaller molecules like sugars?

• A. Pepsin
• B. Amylase
• C. Lipase
• D. Trypsin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Saliva contains an enzyme called amylase, which specifically targets carbohydrates and breaks them down into smaller molecules like sugars. Pepsin, choice A, is an enzyme found in the stomach that breaks down proteins, not carbohydrates. Lipase, choice C, is responsible for breaking down fats, not carbohydrates. Trypsin, choice D, is an enzyme that breaks down proteins in the small intestine, not carbohydrates. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect for this question.

3. Two isotopes of the same element have different numbers of:

• A. Electrons
• B. Protons
• C. Neutrons
• D. Nuclei

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Neutrons.' Isotopes are variants of an element that have the same number of protons and electrons but differ in the number of neutrons they contain. This difference in neutron count is what distinguishes isotopes from each other while maintaining the same chemical properties. Choice A, 'Electrons,' is incorrect because isotopes of the same element have the same number of electrons. Choice B, 'Protons,' is incorrect because isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons. Choice D, 'Nuclei,' is incorrect as nuclei refer to the central part of an atom containing protons and neutrons, and the question specifically asks about differences between isotopes of the same element.

4. What makes bone resistant to shattering?

• A. The calcium salts deposited in the bone
• B. The collagen fibers
• C. The bone marrow and network of blood vessels
• D. The intricate balance of minerals and collagen fibers

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Bone is resistant to shattering due to the intricate balance of minerals and collagen fibers. The minerals provide strength to the bone, while the collagen fibers offer flexibility. This combination ensures that bone is a robust and resilient tissue. Choice A (The calcium salts deposited in the bone) is incorrect as calcium salts alone do not provide the necessary flexibility for bone to withstand shattering. Choice B (The collagen fibers) is partially correct as collagen fibers contribute to the flexibility of bone but alone are not sufficient for resistance to shattering. Choice C (The bone marrow and network of blood vessels) is incorrect as they do not directly contribute to the physical resistance of bone to shattering.

5. Which digestive enzyme is primarily responsible for breaking down proteins?

• A. Pepsin
• B. Lipase
• C. Amylase
• D. Maltase

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Pepsin. Pepsin is primarily responsible for breaking down proteins in the stomach. It is produced in an inactive form called pepsinogen, which becomes activated by the acidic environment in the stomach. Pepsin functions by breaking down proteins into smaller peptides, which are further digested by other enzymes in the small intestine. Lipase is responsible for breaking down fats, amylase for carbohydrates, and maltase for converting maltose into glucose. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are associated with breaking down fats, carbohydrates, and converting maltose, respectively, not proteins.

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