1Formulas and methods
Biology for nursing entrance exams
Method
- Name the topic of the question: cell parts, transport, division, DNA and protein synthesis, inheritance, biomolecules, microorganisms or experimental design.
- Recall the key rule: A–T and G–C, diffusion from high to low, water moves towards more solute, mitosis keeps and meiosis halves the chromosome number.
- For crosses, write the parents’ genotypes, list the gametes and fill a Punnett square before counting.
- For experiments, label the independent, dependent and controlled variables, and ask whether the evidence supports or only suggests the conclusion.
- Check each option against the question asked, not just whether it is a true statement.
Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Method
- Identify what is given and asked: particles, a formula, a state change, a concentration, a pH or a mass.
- Use the periodic table: the atomic number gives protons, the group gives valence electrons and the usual ion charge.
- Balance equations with coefficients only, element by element, oxygen and hydrogen last.
- For amounts, go mass → moles → mole ratio → moles → mass, and for solutions use M = mol/L and C₁V₁ = C₂V₂.
- Remember that pH is logarithmic: one unit is a factor of 10.
2Practice problems
1.Human anatomyMedium
In which part of the nephron does most reabsorption of water and sodium take place?
- ACollecting duct
- BLoop of Henle
- CDistal convoluted tubule
- DProximal convoluted tubule
2.Human anatomyHard
Injury to the common fibular (peroneal) nerve at the neck of the fibula typically causes:
- AWeak hip abduction
- BLoss of sensation on the sole of the foot
- CFoot drop
- DInability to flex the knee
3.Human physiologyMedium
Which receptors respond mainly to a fall in arterial oxygen levels?
- AStretch receptors in the lungs
- BPeripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies
- CCentral chemoreceptors in the medulla
- DBaroreceptors in the carotid sinus
4.Human physiologyHard
A young woman has muscle weakness that gets worse with repeated use and improves with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. What is the most likely mechanism?
- AAntibodies against acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction
- BA defect in the dystrophin protein of muscle
- CLoss of motor neurons in the spinal cord
- DDemyelination of central nervous system tracts
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
Which DNA bases are purines?
- ACytosine and thymine
- BAdenine and thymine
- CCytosine and guanine
- DAdenine and guanine
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Pepsin works in the stomach, where the pH is about 2. What would happen to its activity in the small intestine, where the pH is about 8?
- AIt would drop, because the pH is far from its optimum
- BIt would rise, because enzymes prefer alkaline conditions
- CIt would not change, because pH does not affect enzymes
- DIt would turn into a different enzyme that digests fat
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
Which halogen is the most reactive?
- AChlorine
- BBromine
- CFluorine
- DIodine
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Why does a burn from steam at 100 °C usually cause more damage than one from liquid water at 100 °C?
- ASteam carries dissolved acid that damages the skin
- BSteam releases a large amount of extra energy as it condenses on the skin
- CSteam particles are hotter than water particles at the same reading
- DLiquid water cannot pass any of its heat to the skin
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: D · Proximal convoluted tubule
Why this is the answer
The proximal convoluted tubule reabsorbs about two thirds of the filtered sodium and water, plus nearly all glucose and amino acids.
D · Proximal convoluted tubule
2.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Foot drop
Why this is the answer
The common fibular nerve supplies the dorsiflexors and evertors. Damage at the fibular neck causes foot drop and a high-stepping gait. The sole is supplied by the tibial nerve.
3.Human physiology
Answer: B · Peripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies
Why this is the answer
The carotid and aortic bodies detect low PaO₂ (and also high CO₂ and H⁺). The central chemoreceptors respond to CO₂ but not directly to oxygen.
B · Peripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies
4.Human physiology
Answer: A · Antibodies against acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction
Why this is the answer
In myasthenia gravis, autoantibodies reduce the number of functional acetylcholine receptors. Blocking acetylcholinesterase leaves more ACh to bind the remaining receptors.
A · Antibodies against acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · Adenine and guanine
Why this is the answer
Adenine and guanine are purines, with a double-ring structure. Cytosine, thymine and uracil are pyrimidines, with one ring. Each base pair has one purine and one pyrimidine, which keeps the helix the same width.
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · It would drop, because the pH is far from its optimum
Why this is the answer
Away from its optimum pH, an enzyme's active site changes shape and activity falls. Pepsin is adapted to the acid stomach, not the alkaline intestine.
A · It would drop, because the pH is far from its optimum
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · Fluorine
Why this is the answer
Halogen reactivity decreases down the group. Fluorine is the smallest, so its nucleus attracts an extra electron most strongly, making it the most reactive.
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · Steam releases a large amount of extra energy as it condenses on the skin
Why this is the answer
When steam condenses to liquid on skin, it gives off its heat of vaporisation (a large amount), and then the hot water cools further. Liquid water at the same temperature transfers only the second part.
B · Steam releases a large amount of extra energy as it condenses on the skin
This is independent practice material. ExamProblems is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organisation that runs this exam, and the exam name is used only to describe the content. ATI TEAS is a trademark of Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC (ATI), which is not affiliated with ExamProblems and does not endorse it or vouch for its accuracy.