1. During a discussion on cellular components and their function, a student asked the
instructor the purpose of messenger RNA (mRNA). Of the following, which is the most
accurate answer?
A) Transports amino acids to the site of protein synthesis
B) Acts as an inner nuclear support membrane for a rigid network of protein
filaments that bind DNA to the nucleus
C) Performs an active role of protein synthesis, where mRNA molecules direct the
assembly of proteins on ribosomes to the cytoplasm
D) Assists cells in forming neoplastic progression by altering the response of
chromatin in the nuclear matrix
Ans: C
Feedback:
The nucleus is the site for the synthesis of three types of RNA that move to the
cytoplasm and carry out the actual synthesis of proteins. Messenger RNA copies and
carries the DNA instructions for protein synthesis to the cytoplasm. Ribosomal RNA is
the site of actual protein synthesis; transfer RNA transports amino acids to the site of
protein synthesis.
2. The nurse is providing care for a client with a diagnosis of cirrhosis, and she notes that
the client's sclerae are jaundiced. The nurse recalls that jaundice is a pigment that can
accumulate in which part of the cell?
A) Nucleus
B) Cytoplasm
C) Golgi apparatus
D) Rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
Ans: B
Feedback:
Pigments such as bilirubin and melanin can accumulate in the cytoplasm, resulting in
the characteristic yellow skin tones associated with jaundice. Pigments do not tend to
accumulate in the nucleus, Golgi apparatus, or rough ER.
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,3. A 14-year-old female has been experiencing severe internal cramps in the region of the
pelvis and weight loss.She has been admitted with rectal bleeding.The physician has
diagnosed her with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). She asks the nurse what causes
this disease. The nurse will base her response knowing that IBD has been linked to
A) liver involvement in faulty glycogen stores.
B) endoplasmic reticulum stress in the gastrointestinal system.
C) oversecretion of insulin from the beta cells in the pancreas.
D) infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract by bacterial toxins.
Ans: B
Feedback:
Researchers are determining links between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and various
disease processes. For examples, ER stress in the GI system has been found to be related
to intestinal inflammations such as those occur with inflammatory bowel disease. The
smooth ER of the liver is involved in glycogen stores. Insulin is synthesized as a large,
inactive proinsulin molecule cut apart to produce a smaller, active insulin molecule
within the Golgi complex of the beta cells. Bacterial toxins have exploited the
retrograde transport mechanism.
4. A professor is teaching a group of students about the role of mitochondria within the
cell. Which of the following statements is true of mitochondria?
A) They are the site of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production.
B) The number of mitochondria in a cell is equal to the number of nuclei.
C) They are replicated within the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
D) Mitochondrial DNA is inherited patrilineally.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Consistent with their characterization as the “power plants” of the cell, mitochondria are
the site of ATP synthesis for the cell. The number of mitochondria in a given cell type
varies, according to the energy demands of the particular cell. They are self-replicating
rather than being produced in the smooth ER, and they are inherited matrilineally.
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, 5. A patient has been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease called multiple sclerosis
(MS). The physician explains to the patient that this disease may be caused by
dysregulated apoptosis. Later that day, the patient asks the nurse what this means. The
nurse should reply,
A) “The cells around your nerves don't know how to die correctly.”
B) “The cytoplasm should neutralize the various apoptotic inhibitors but isn't
working correctly.”
C) “Dysregulated apoptosis has caused an excessive rate of programmed cell death
along the neuropathways.”
D) “There is an inappropriately low rate of apoptosis occurring within the cells.”
Ans: C
Feedback:
Dysregulated apoptosis can mean too little or too much and has been implicated in
neurodegenerative diseases, in which there is an increased or excessive rate of
apoptosis.
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