NURS 611 EXAM 1 PATHO ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ 2026
Which process involves the neurotransmitters diffusing across the synaptic cleft? a.
Chemical synapsing
b. Paracrine signaling
c. Autocrine signaling
d. Autostimulation - a. chemical synapsing
Chemical synapses are specialized junctions where a nerve cell releases a
neurotransmitter. Paracrine signaling is where cells secrete local chemical mediators
that act on nearby cells. Autocrine signaling is where cells act on themselves by
secreting chemical mediators. Autostimulation is another name for autocrine signaling.
Fungi, protozoa, and most algae are single-celled eukaryotes. Prokaryotes include
cyanobacteria, bacteria, and rickettsiae.
Proteins have the ability to function as: (Select all that apply.) Select
all that apply.
a. cellular synapses.
b. cell adhesion molecules.
c. transport channels.
d. cell surface markers.
e. enzymes that drive pumps. - b. cell adhesion molecules
c. transport channels
d. cell surface markers
e. enzymes that drive pumps
A synapse is the space between the nerve terminal of one cell and another nerve cell.
Proteins may act as transport channels, pores, cell surface markers, enzymes that drive
pumps, catalysts, and cell adhesion molecules.
The extracellular matrix is composed of: (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply. a. polypeptides.
b. desmosomes.
c. fibronectin.
d. collagen.
e. elastin. - c. fibronectin
d. collagen
e. elastin
,The extracellular matrix is an intricate meshwork of fibrous proteins embedded in a
watery, gel-like substance composed of complex carbohydrates containing elastin,
fibronectin, and collagen. Desmosomes hold cells together by forming bands or belts
while polypeptides form proteins.
A desmosome is described as a: (Select all that apply.) Select
all that apply.
a. communicating tunnel.
b. system of braces.
c. joining protein.
d. barrier to diffusion.
e. band of epithelial sheets. - b. system of braces
e. band of epithelial sheets
The desmosome is a type of cell junction that also includes tight junctions and gap
junctions. Desmosomes hold cells together by forming a continuous band or belt of
epithelial sheets and providing structural stability via a system of braces. Tight junctions
serve as a barrier to diffusion and prevent the movement of substances through
transport proteins while gap junctions are clusters of communicating tunnels.
Connexons are joining proteins that extend outward from each of the adjacent plasma
membranes.
A function of signaling cascades includes message: (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply. a. distribution.
b. modulation.
c. deletion.
d. amplification.
e. transfer. - a. distribution
b. modulation
d. amplification
e. transfer
The signaling cascade may transfer, amplify, distribute, diverge, or modulate a
message. Deleting a message is not a function of the cascade.
Which bases are single-ringed structures in the DNA molecule? a.
Thymine and guanine
b. Cytosine and adenine
c. Guanine and adenine
d. Cytosine and thymine - d. cytosine and thymine
The single-ringed bases (pyrimidines) are cytosine and thymine. The double-ringed
bases (purines) are adenine and guanine.
The term describing the DNA subunit of one deoxyribose molecule, one phosphate
group, and one base is a: a. polypeptide.
b. nucleotide.
,c. codon.
d. double helix. - b. nucleotide
A nucleotide consists of one deoxyribose molecule, one phosphate group, and one
base. The double helix is the twisted staircase presentation of DNA that was proposed
by Watson-Crick. A polypeptide is a chain of proteins. A codon is a triplet of amino
acids.
Which statement regarding codons is TRUE?
a. There are three codons that signal the end of a gene.
b. There are 80 possible codons.
c. Each amino acid has one codon.
d. There are 70 codons that specify amino acids. - a. there are three codons that signal
the end of a gene
There are three codons that signal the end of a gene, and they are called termination or
nonsense codons. There are 64 possible codons, and 61 specify amino acids. There is
more than one codon for an amino acid.
The function of DNA polymerase is to: a.
split DNA molecules.
b. perform base-pairing in replication.
c. synthesize RNA from the DNA template.
d. synthesize a polypeptide. - b. perform base-pairing in replication
The function of DNA polymerase is to assist with base-pairing when replicating DNA.
This enzyme travels along the single DNA strand, adding the correct nucleotides to the
free end of the new strand and proofreading. Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from
DNA and uses RNA polymerase. Translation is the formation of a polypeptide from RNA
and does not require DNA polymerase.
Which is correct with regard to cellular energy?
a. Oxidative cellular metabolism is a single reaction making ATP.
b. Glycolysis is the building of sugar molecules.
c. Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the mitochondria.
d. Anaerobic glycolysis occurs in the presence of oxygen. - c. oxidative phosphorylation
occurs in the mitochondria
Oxidative phosphorylation is a process that does occur in the mitochondria. This is the
mechanism by which the energy produced from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins is
transferred to ATP. Glycolysis is the breaking down of glucose molecules; it produces a
net of two ATP molecules. Oxidation is a process where there is removal and transfer of
a pair of electrons. Oxidative cellular metabolism involves 10 biochemical reactions.
Anaerobic glycolysis occurs in the absence of oxygen. "Aerobic" means in the presence
of oxygen.
, The term "diffusion" is best described as:
a. movement of a solute molecule from high to low concentration.
b. transference of both water and a solute down a concentration gradient.
c. movement of water down a concentration gradient.
d. mechanical pressure of water pushing against the cellular membrane. - a. movement
of a solute molecule from high to low concentration
Diffusion is the movement of solute from an area of high to low concentration. Osmosis
is the movement of water down a concentration gradient. Filtration is the movement of
water and solute through a membrane because of a greater pushing pressure on one
side of the membrane than the other. Hydrostatic pressure is the mechanical force of
water pushing against a cell membrane.
The appropriate term for an "energy-releasing process" is: a.
substrate.
b. second messenger.
c. anabolism.
d. catabolism. - d. catabolism
Catabolism is an energy-releasing process. The energy-using process is anabolism. A
substrate is a specific substance that is converted to a product in the reaction. A second
messenger is a "pass-it-on signal." This occurs when a first messenger activates a
receptor that then triggers a pass-it-on signal.
The simultaneous movement of two molecules in one direction is best described as:
a. passive transport.
b. antiport.
c. symport.
d. uniport. - c. symport
Symport describes two molecules moving simultaneously in one direction. When two
molecules move in opposite directions, it is called antiport. Uniport is when a single
molecule moves in one direction. Passive transport moves water and small electrically
uncharged molecules through pores in the plasma membrane's lipid bilayer.
Which is the result of the force exerted by plasma proteins? a.
Oncotic pressure
b. Hydrostatic pressure
c. Hyperbaric pressure
d. Filtration pressure - a. Oncotic pressure
Oncotic pressure is the pressure exerted by colloids such as plasma proteins. Filtration
is the force that causes movement of water and solutes through the membrane and is
independent of plasma proteins. Hydrostatic pressure is the mechanical force of water
pushing against cellular membranes. Hyperbaric pressure pertains to solutions that are
more dense than the medium to which they are added.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ 2026
Which process involves the neurotransmitters diffusing across the synaptic cleft? a.
Chemical synapsing
b. Paracrine signaling
c. Autocrine signaling
d. Autostimulation - a. chemical synapsing
Chemical synapses are specialized junctions where a nerve cell releases a
neurotransmitter. Paracrine signaling is where cells secrete local chemical mediators
that act on nearby cells. Autocrine signaling is where cells act on themselves by
secreting chemical mediators. Autostimulation is another name for autocrine signaling.
Fungi, protozoa, and most algae are single-celled eukaryotes. Prokaryotes include
cyanobacteria, bacteria, and rickettsiae.
Proteins have the ability to function as: (Select all that apply.) Select
all that apply.
a. cellular synapses.
b. cell adhesion molecules.
c. transport channels.
d. cell surface markers.
e. enzymes that drive pumps. - b. cell adhesion molecules
c. transport channels
d. cell surface markers
e. enzymes that drive pumps
A synapse is the space between the nerve terminal of one cell and another nerve cell.
Proteins may act as transport channels, pores, cell surface markers, enzymes that drive
pumps, catalysts, and cell adhesion molecules.
The extracellular matrix is composed of: (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply. a. polypeptides.
b. desmosomes.
c. fibronectin.
d. collagen.
e. elastin. - c. fibronectin
d. collagen
e. elastin
,The extracellular matrix is an intricate meshwork of fibrous proteins embedded in a
watery, gel-like substance composed of complex carbohydrates containing elastin,
fibronectin, and collagen. Desmosomes hold cells together by forming bands or belts
while polypeptides form proteins.
A desmosome is described as a: (Select all that apply.) Select
all that apply.
a. communicating tunnel.
b. system of braces.
c. joining protein.
d. barrier to diffusion.
e. band of epithelial sheets. - b. system of braces
e. band of epithelial sheets
The desmosome is a type of cell junction that also includes tight junctions and gap
junctions. Desmosomes hold cells together by forming a continuous band or belt of
epithelial sheets and providing structural stability via a system of braces. Tight junctions
serve as a barrier to diffusion and prevent the movement of substances through
transport proteins while gap junctions are clusters of communicating tunnels.
Connexons are joining proteins that extend outward from each of the adjacent plasma
membranes.
A function of signaling cascades includes message: (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply. a. distribution.
b. modulation.
c. deletion.
d. amplification.
e. transfer. - a. distribution
b. modulation
d. amplification
e. transfer
The signaling cascade may transfer, amplify, distribute, diverge, or modulate a
message. Deleting a message is not a function of the cascade.
Which bases are single-ringed structures in the DNA molecule? a.
Thymine and guanine
b. Cytosine and adenine
c. Guanine and adenine
d. Cytosine and thymine - d. cytosine and thymine
The single-ringed bases (pyrimidines) are cytosine and thymine. The double-ringed
bases (purines) are adenine and guanine.
The term describing the DNA subunit of one deoxyribose molecule, one phosphate
group, and one base is a: a. polypeptide.
b. nucleotide.
,c. codon.
d. double helix. - b. nucleotide
A nucleotide consists of one deoxyribose molecule, one phosphate group, and one
base. The double helix is the twisted staircase presentation of DNA that was proposed
by Watson-Crick. A polypeptide is a chain of proteins. A codon is a triplet of amino
acids.
Which statement regarding codons is TRUE?
a. There are three codons that signal the end of a gene.
b. There are 80 possible codons.
c. Each amino acid has one codon.
d. There are 70 codons that specify amino acids. - a. there are three codons that signal
the end of a gene
There are three codons that signal the end of a gene, and they are called termination or
nonsense codons. There are 64 possible codons, and 61 specify amino acids. There is
more than one codon for an amino acid.
The function of DNA polymerase is to: a.
split DNA molecules.
b. perform base-pairing in replication.
c. synthesize RNA from the DNA template.
d. synthesize a polypeptide. - b. perform base-pairing in replication
The function of DNA polymerase is to assist with base-pairing when replicating DNA.
This enzyme travels along the single DNA strand, adding the correct nucleotides to the
free end of the new strand and proofreading. Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from
DNA and uses RNA polymerase. Translation is the formation of a polypeptide from RNA
and does not require DNA polymerase.
Which is correct with regard to cellular energy?
a. Oxidative cellular metabolism is a single reaction making ATP.
b. Glycolysis is the building of sugar molecules.
c. Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the mitochondria.
d. Anaerobic glycolysis occurs in the presence of oxygen. - c. oxidative phosphorylation
occurs in the mitochondria
Oxidative phosphorylation is a process that does occur in the mitochondria. This is the
mechanism by which the energy produced from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins is
transferred to ATP. Glycolysis is the breaking down of glucose molecules; it produces a
net of two ATP molecules. Oxidation is a process where there is removal and transfer of
a pair of electrons. Oxidative cellular metabolism involves 10 biochemical reactions.
Anaerobic glycolysis occurs in the absence of oxygen. "Aerobic" means in the presence
of oxygen.
, The term "diffusion" is best described as:
a. movement of a solute molecule from high to low concentration.
b. transference of both water and a solute down a concentration gradient.
c. movement of water down a concentration gradient.
d. mechanical pressure of water pushing against the cellular membrane. - a. movement
of a solute molecule from high to low concentration
Diffusion is the movement of solute from an area of high to low concentration. Osmosis
is the movement of water down a concentration gradient. Filtration is the movement of
water and solute through a membrane because of a greater pushing pressure on one
side of the membrane than the other. Hydrostatic pressure is the mechanical force of
water pushing against a cell membrane.
The appropriate term for an "energy-releasing process" is: a.
substrate.
b. second messenger.
c. anabolism.
d. catabolism. - d. catabolism
Catabolism is an energy-releasing process. The energy-using process is anabolism. A
substrate is a specific substance that is converted to a product in the reaction. A second
messenger is a "pass-it-on signal." This occurs when a first messenger activates a
receptor that then triggers a pass-it-on signal.
The simultaneous movement of two molecules in one direction is best described as:
a. passive transport.
b. antiport.
c. symport.
d. uniport. - c. symport
Symport describes two molecules moving simultaneously in one direction. When two
molecules move in opposite directions, it is called antiport. Uniport is when a single
molecule moves in one direction. Passive transport moves water and small electrically
uncharged molecules through pores in the plasma membrane's lipid bilayer.
Which is the result of the force exerted by plasma proteins? a.
Oncotic pressure
b. Hydrostatic pressure
c. Hyperbaric pressure
d. Filtration pressure - a. Oncotic pressure
Oncotic pressure is the pressure exerted by colloids such as plasma proteins. Filtration
is the force that causes movement of water and solutes through the membrane and is
independent of plasma proteins. Hydrostatic pressure is the mechanical force of water
pushing against cellular membranes. Hyperbaric pressure pertains to solutions that are
more dense than the medium to which they are added.
