NLN PAX Exam Questions

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21.

At the end of meiosis, four daughter cells are produced. How many chromosomes does each daughter cell contain?

  • 23

  • 13

  • 46

  • 8

Correct answer: 23

Each daughter cell has 23 chromosomes at the end of meiosis. A daughter cell, or haploid gamete, has half the number of chromosomes that the parent cell has. The parent cell has 46 chromosomes.

22.

John was traveling at a speed of 55 mph when he noticed a new speed limit sign of 70 mph. What is John’s average acceleration if it took him 5 seconds to go from 55 mph to 70 mph?

  • 10,800 mph²

  • 3 mph²

  • 1,200 mph²

  • 3,500 mph²

Correct answer: 10,800 mph²

John’s average acceleration is 10,800 mph².

The formula to find the acceleration rate is: (final speed – original speed) / total time.

Average acceleration = (70 mph – 55 mph) / 5s = (15 mph / 5 s) × (3600 s / 1 hr) = 10,800 mph².

23.

Which of the following synthesizes and assembles ribosomes?

  • Nucleolus

  • Chromatin

  • Lysosome

  • Mitochondria

Correct answer: Nucleolus

The nucleolus makes ribosomal subunits from proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). It then sends the subunits out to the rest of the cell where they combine into complete ribosomes. Ribosomes make proteins; therefore, the nucleolus plays a vital role in making proteins in the cell.

Chromatin is comprised of histones and DNA (147 base pairs of DNA wrap around the eight core histones to form the basic chromatin unit, the nucleosome). The function of chromatin is to efficiently package DNA into a small volume to fit into the nucleus of a cell and protect the DNA structure and sequence. Packaging DNA into chromatin allows for mitosis and meiosis, prevents chromosome breakage, and controls gene expression and DNA replication.

Mitochondria (singular: mitochondrion) are membrane-bound organelles found in the cells of most eukaryotic organisms. Mitochondria are sometimes referred to as the powerhouse of the cell, as they produce most of the energy within a cell. Mitochondria facilitate the production of ATP, the main source of chemical energy in living organisms.

Lysosomes are filled with digestive enzymes. Their purpose is to break down worn-out cell parts and destroy invading pathogens.

24.

The atomic number of an element is which of the following?

  • The number of protons in the nucleus

  • The number of neutrons in the nucleus

  • The number of electrons in the nucleus

  • The number of atoms in the nucleus

Correct answer: The number of protons in the nucleus

The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus. The number of protons in a nucleus, or the atomic number, can be determined by looking at the top number in an element’s periodic table square.

Electrons are not found within the nucleus, and a nucleus is located in the center of an atom.

25.

View the supporting details to answer the following question.

According to the passage, what is a dangerous complication associated with pregnancy?

  • Eclampsia

  • Migraines

  • Hormonal changes

  • Aura pregnancy

Correct answer: Eclampsia

The passage’s last paragraph informs the reader that eclampsia is a dangerous complication associated with pregnancy: “…it might be a symptom of eclampsia, a very dangerous complication of pregnancy.”

Migraines, hormonal changes, and aura pregnancy are incorrect because the passage does not state that they are dangerous complications associated with pregnancy. However, the passage does state that an aura pregnancy could cause migraine symptoms to become worse.

26.

Solve the following by multiplying and reducing to the lowest common denominator.

5/9 x 2/9 =

  • 10/81

  • 1 1/9

  • 7/9

  • 7/81

Correct answer: 10/81

1. Apply this rule: a/b×c/d = ac/bd

(5×2)/(9×9)

2. Simplify 5×2 to 10

10/(9×9)

3. Simplify 9×9 to 81

10/81

27.

Which of the following words is spelled correctly?

  • Exceed

  • Excede

  • Exceede

  • Exceid

Correct answer: Exceed

Exceed is spelled correctly. Exceed is a verb meaning to be greater in number or size than (a quantity, number, or other measurable property).

28.

Fill in the blanks with the correctly spelled words.

David hadn't been out in the sun all year, so he was looking very _______ as he picked up his plastic _______ and headed for the beach.

  • pale; pail

  • pale; pale

  • pail; pail

  • pail; pale

Correct answer: pale; pail

David hadn't been out in the sun all year, so he was looking very pale as he picked up his plastic pail and headed for the beach.

The word pale means washed out or without color. Pail refers to a bucket.

29.

Which of the following is spelled correctly when adding the suffix -ful to the word beauty?

  • Beautiful

  • Beautyful

  • Beautyiful

  • Beautifull

Correct answer: Beautiful

When adding a suffix to a root word ending in Y that is directly preceded by a consonant, change the Y to I unless the suffix begins with I. In this case, the suffix is (-ful) and the root word, beauty, ends in Y and is preceded by a consonant (t). Therefore, you would change the Y to an I to spell the word as beautiful.

As always, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, memory + ize = memorize and day + ly = daily.

30.

A circuit has a current of 20 amperes and a voltage of 220 V. What is the circuit’s resistance?

  • 11 ohms

  • 4400 ohms

  • 0.1 ohms

  • 110 ohms

Correct answer: 11 ohms

To determine the circuit’s resistance, use the Ohm’s law equation: V = IR and convert it to solve for resistance: R = V/I where R equals resistance, V equals voltage, and I equals current.

R = V/I

R = (220 V)/(20 amperes)

R = 11 ohms

31.

Which of the following is known as a nerve tissue?

  • Neuroglia

  • Skeletal

  • Smooth

  • Cardiac

Correct answer: Neuroglia

Neuroglia is a nerve tissue that provides protection and support for the nerves. Skeletal tissue, smooth tissue, and cardiac tissue are all types of muscle tissue.

32.

A pharmacy filled 25 brand name prescriptions, 35 generic prescriptions, and some OTC prescriptions. There is a 1 to 3 ratio of generic prescriptions to OTC prescriptions. Which of the following numbers in the problem are needed to find the total number of OTC prescriptions that were filled?

  • 35, 1, and 3 only

  • 25, 1, and 3 only

  • 35, 25, 1, and 3

  • 1 and 3 only

Correct answer: 35, 1, and 3 only

In order to find the actual number of OTC prescriptions, you need the numbers in the initial ratio, plus one actual number. This can be set up as an equation:

1 = 35
3     x

You do not need the number of brand name prescriptions because this is not part of the ratio that is given.

33.

Which of the following best describes the term canal?

  • The tubular tunnel in a bone

  • The air-filled space in a bone

  • The round hole through a bone

  • The slit through a bone

Correct answer: The tubular tunnel in a bone

The tubular tunnel in a bone is known as the canal. The air-filled space in a bone is known as the sinus. The round hole through a bone is known as the foramen. The slit through a bone is known as a fissure.

34.

What is the primary function of ribosomes in the cell?

  • To read RNA in the nucleus and translate the genetic instructions to produce proteins

  • To transport materials throughout the cell

  • To contain the cell DNA

  • To produce energy for the cell

Correct answer: To read RNA in the nucleus and translate the genetic instructions to produce proteins

The ribosomes help with the creation of proteins by translating the nucleus RNA into instructions for creating proteins.

35.

What is the main purpose of the kidneys?

  • To filter the blood

  • To store water for later use

  • To decontaminate nutrients absorbed during digestion

  • To control the production of bile

Correct answer: To filter the blood

Kidneys (organs of the genitourinary system) manufacture urine, which travels through the ureters to the urinary bladder where it is stored until excretion through the urethra. Kidneys are primarily responsible for filtering blood, creating urine, stabilizing water balance, maintaining blood pressure, and producing the active form of vitamin D. The functional unit of the kidney is the nephron which is responsible for filtering and excretion.

The kidney is divided into two major regions: the cortex and the medulla. The glomerulus of the nephron located within the renal cortex filters blood to form a dilute plasma-like filtrate, which is concentrated in the proximal and distal convoluted loops of the renal medulla. In the renal medulla, salt and water are reabsorbed to make urine, which is released into the collecting duct. The collecting ducts drain into the renal pelvis, which opens into the ureter. Urine is a waste product that contains urea, water, salts, and other excess metabolites.

Kidneys play a vital role in maintaining blood and blood pressure. The cardiovascular system pumps blood into the kidneys through the renal artery. The pressure of the blood helps the glomerulus (cluster of capillaries around the end of a kidney tubule, where waste products are filtered from the blood) filter out wastes and return vital nutrients to the blood through the renal vein. The kidneys also produce renin, an enzyme that regulates arterial blood pressure by retaining or removing water and salt.

The ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra are parts of the excretory system. The ureters (one for each kidney) are small tubes that carry urine to the urinary bladder, which holds the urine until excretion through the urethra. The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that holds 500 to 1,000 mL of liquid and has sensors that communicate with the central nervous system. For excretion to occur, both the internal and external sphincters of the bladder must be released.

36.

When is it appropriate to use a question mark at the end of a sentence?

  • When showing uncertainty

  • When expressing a strong feeling

  • When requesting something

  • When indicating a pause

Correct answer: When showing uncertainty

It is appropriate to use a question mark at the end of a sentence when showing uncertainty.

An exclamation point should be used at the end of a sentence when expressing a strong feeling. A period should be used at the end of a sentence when requesting something. An ellipsis should be used at the end of a sentence when indicating a pause.

37.

If a kilogram of air is compressed from 10 m³ to 5 m³, which of the following statements is true?

  • The air’s density is doubled

  • The air’s density is halved

  • The air’s mass is doubled

  • The air’s mass is halved

Correct answer: The air's density is doubled

The true statement is “The air’s density is doubled.” The air’s mass is unaffected as it remains 1 kilogram. However, the air’s density (mass/volume) is doubled because the air’s volume is now halved.

38.

Jenna wants to estimate the total amount of TV she's watched this week. She estimates that she has watched 23 minutes of advertisements, which make up 17% of her TV watching time. How much television has she watched this week?

  • 135 minutes

  • 160 minutes

  • 145 minutes

  • 120 minutes

Correct answer: 135 minutes

Convert 17% to a decimal.

17% = 17/100 = 0.17

Solve for x by setting up an equation as follows:

23 = x (0.17)

Divide both sides by 0.17.

(23 ÷ 0.17) = x

x = 135 minutes

39.

Which stage of writing has a goal of producing a clean, correct final draft?

  • Editing

  • Revising

  • Drafting

  • Prewriting

Correct answer: Editing

The editing stage of writing has a goal of producing a clean, correct final draft. The editing stage is when the writing is checked for spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar.

The prewriting stage is when the writer determines the topic, performs research, and organizes his/her ideas. The drafting stage is when the writer completes the first draft. The revising stage is when the writer revises the first draft to form the second draft.

40.

In regard to DNA and RNA, which of the following statements is false?

  • The sugar in RNA is deoxyribose

  • RNA is much smaller than DNA

  • DNA is a double helix

  • RNA has only one nucleotide chain

Correct answer: The sugar in RNA is deoxyribose

The sugar in RNA is ribose, not deoxyribose. The sugar in DNA is deoxyribose. The other answer options are all true facts in regard to RNA and DNA.