Nursing Elites

1. Which organelle in the cell is responsible for protein synthesis?

• A. Ribosome
• B. Nucleus
• C. Mitochondrion
• D. Golgi apparatus

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ribosome. Ribosomes are the organelles responsible for protein synthesis in the cell. They are the cellular machinery where translation, the process of assembling proteins from amino acids based on mRNA sequences, occurs. Ribosomes can be found floating freely in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. The nucleus (choice B) houses DNA but is not directly involved in protein synthesis. Mitochondria (choice C) are responsible for energy production through cellular respiration, not protein synthesis. The Golgi apparatus (choice D) is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion, not in the synthesis of proteins.

2. What is the primary function of the digestive system?

• A. To break down food into nutrients
• B. To absorb oxygen
• C. To produce energy
• D. To regulate body temperature

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'To break down food into nutrients.' The primary function of the digestive system is to break down food into nutrients that can be absorbed by the body for energy, growth, and repair. The digestive system is not responsible for absorbing oxygen (Choice B), as that is the role of the respiratory system. While the digestion process does release energy from nutrients, the primary function is not to produce energy (Choice C), but rather to extract nutrients for energy production. Regulating body temperature (Choice D) is primarily handled by the thermoregulatory mechanisms in the body, such as the skin and sweat glands, not the digestive system.

3. Which hormone, produced by the thyroid gland, plays a crucial role in regulating the body's metabolism, growth, and development?

• A. Calcitonin
• B. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
• C. Thyroxine
• D. Insulin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Thyroxine, also known as T4, is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that plays a crucial role in regulating the body's metabolism, growth, and development. It helps control the rate at which the body uses energy, affects protein synthesis, and influences the body's sensitivity to other hormones. Calcitonin (A) is another hormone produced by the thyroid gland, but its primary function is to regulate calcium levels in the blood. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) (B) is produced by the parathyroid glands and is involved in regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. Insulin (D) is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels.

4. Which of the following minerals is important for bone health and is stored in bones by the skeletal system?

• A. Iron
• B. Sodium
• C. Calcium
• D. Magnesium

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is Calcium (Choice C). Calcium is essential for bone health and is stored in bones by the skeletal system. Bones act as a reservoir for calcium, playing a critical role in maintaining bone strength and density. Iron, sodium, and magnesium are important for various bodily functions but are not primarily stored in bones for bone health. Iron is crucial for oxygen transport, sodium helps regulate fluid balance, and magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body.

5. Which process is characterized by nuclear fission?

• A. A heavy nucleus capturing a neutron and releasing energy
• B. The fusion of two nuclei to form a heavier element
• C. A lighter element emitting an alpha particle through radioactive decay
• D. An electron being absorbed by the nucleus with the release of a gamma ray

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Nuclear fission is the process where a heavy nucleus, like uranium-235, captures a neutron, leading to its division into two lighter nuclei. This process releases a substantial amount of energy in the form of heat and gamma rays. It is utilized in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs due to its capacity to produce significant energy. Choices B, C, and D describe different nuclear processes: fusion of two nuclei to form a heavier element, emission of alpha particles from a lighter element through radioactive decay, and absorption of an electron by the nucleus with the release of a gamma ray, respectively. These processes are distinct from nuclear fission and do not involve the splitting of heavy nuclei into lighter ones.

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