Nursing Elites

1. Which structure of the nervous system carries an action potential in the direction of a synapse?

• A. Cell body
• B. Axon
• C. Neuron
• D. Myelin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the axon. The axon is the elongated, threadlike part of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body towards other neurons or target cells, such as muscles or glands, in the direction of a synapse. Action potentials travel along the axon as electrical signals to communicate with neighboring cells. The cell body (choice A) contains the nucleus and organelles but does not transmit action potentials. Neuron (choice C) is a broad term that includes the entire nerve cell, not a specific structure. Myelin (choice D) is a fatty substance that surrounds and insulates axons, aiding in the conduction of nerve impulses, but it does not directly carry the action potential towards a synapse.

2. Which of the following organelles is responsible for protein production in the cell?

• A. Ribosomes
• B. Golgi apparatus
• C. Mitochondria
• D. Lysosomes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ribosomes. Ribosomes are the organelles responsible for protein synthesis in the cell. They can be found either freely floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. The Golgi apparatus (Choice B) is involved in processing and packaging proteins, not protein production. Mitochondria (Choice C) are responsible for energy production, not protein synthesis. Lysosomes (Choice D) are involved in digestion and waste removal, not protein production.

3. What is kwashiorkor, a protein deficiency disease, characterized by?

• A. Muscle wasting
• B. Night blindness
• C. Scurvy
• D. Rickets

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Kwashiorkor is a severe acute malnutrition condition resulting from insufficient dietary protein intake. It is characterized by symptoms such as edema, skin lesions, an enlarged liver with fatty infiltrates, and notably, muscle wasting. Muscle wasting occurs as the body breaks down muscle tissue to obtain essential amino acids for vital functions. Night blindness (option B) is associated with vitamin A deficiency, scurvy (option C) results from a lack of vitamin C, and rickets (option D) is caused by a deficiency in vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate.

4. Which part of the brain controls the coordination of muscle movements?

• A. Cerebrum
• B. Cerebellum
• C. Thalamus
• D. Medulla oblongata

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for controlling the coordination of muscle movements and helping to maintain balance. It receives information from the sensory systems, the spinal cord, and other parts of the brain to regulate voluntary movements. The cerebrum (choice A) is primarily responsible for higher brain functions such as thinking and decision-making, not muscle coordination. The thalamus (choice C) acts as a relay station for sensory information but is not directly involved in muscle coordination. The medulla oblongata (choice D) is responsible for regulating vital autonomic functions like breathing and heart rate, rather than muscle coordination.

5. Which enzyme breaks down carbohydrates like starches and sugars in the mouth?

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

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is Amylase. Amylase is the enzyme responsible for breaking down carbohydrates like starches and sugars in the mouth. Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach, lipase breaks down fats, and trypsin is another enzyme that breaks down proteins in the small intestine. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect for this question.

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