Nursing Elites

1. Which region of the small intestine is the primary site of absorption?

• A. Duodenum
• B. Jejunum
• C. Ileum
• D. Cecum

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The jejunum is the correct answer. It is the primary site of nutrient absorption in the small intestine. The duodenum mainly facilitates digestion, the ileum is responsible for further absorption, while the cecum is part of the large intestine and not involved in nutrient absorption.

2. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism that can directly cause evolution by natural selection?

• A. Mutations in genes
• B. Differential survival and reproduction based on traits
• C. Inheritance of acquired characteristics (like strong muscles from working out)
• D. Competition for resources in an environment

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Mutations in genes can introduce new genetic variations into a population, which can be acted upon by natural selection. B) Differential survival and reproduction based on traits is a key component of natural selection, as individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation. C) Inheritance of acquired characteristics, also known as Lamarckism, is not a mechanism of evolution by natural selection. Traits acquired during an individual's lifetime (such as strong muscles from working out) are not passed on to offspring. D) Competition for resources in an environment can drive natural selection by favoring individuals with traits that help them better compete for limited resources. Therefore, the correct answer is C) Inheritance of acquired characteristics (like strong muscles from working out), as it is not a mechanism that can directly cause evolution by natural selection.

3. Not all cells in the pancreas secrete insulin because of the hormone somatostatin, which inhibits the release of insulin by all cells. What type of intercellular chemical signal does this illustrate?

• A. Autocrine
• B. Neuromodulator
• C. Paracrine
• D. Pheromone

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Paracrine. Somatostatin acts in a paracrine manner by inhibiting the release of insulin from nearby cells within the pancreas. Paracrine signaling involves the secretion of signals that act on neighboring cells, as seen in this scenario where somatostatin affects nearby pancreatic cells without entering the bloodstream or affecting distant cells. Autocrine signaling involves cells responding to substances they themselves release, which is not the case here. Neuromodulators are chemicals that modulate the activity of neurons, not directly related to this scenario. Pheromones are chemicals released into the environment to communicate with individuals of the same species, not relevant to the signaling within the pancreas.

4. What is the muscular sac in the female body that nourishes and protects a developing fetus?

• A. Ovary
• B. Fallopian tube
• C. Uterus
• D. Vagina

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is the uterus. The uterus is a muscular organ in the female body where a fertilized egg implants and grows into a fetus during pregnancy. It provides nourishment and protection to the developing fetus. The ovaries produce eggs, the fallopian tubes transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, and the vagina is the muscular tube that connects the uterus to the outside of the body for childbirth. Therefore, the roles of the ovary, fallopian tube, and vagina are not related to nourishing and protecting a developing fetus, making them incorrect choices.

5. Which of the following distinguishes the isotopes of an element?

• A. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different ionic charges.
• B. Isotopes are atoms of elements within the same group on the periodic table.
• C. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons.
• D. Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different electron configurations.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Isotopes are defined as atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons in their nucleus but different numbers of neutrons. This leads to variations in atomic mass for isotopes of an element. The different number of neutrons in isotopes results in differences in their atomic mass and properties while still belonging to the same element. Choice A is incorrect because isotopes do not have different ionic charges, they have the same chemical properties. Choice B is incorrect because isotopes are not atoms of elements within the same group on the periodic table; they are variants of the same element. Choice D is incorrect because isotopes of an element have the same electron configuration, differing only in the number of neutrons in the nucleus.

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