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
Which nerve supplies the diaphragm?
- AIntercostal nerves
- BPhrenic nerve
- CAccessory nerve
- DVagus nerve
2.Human anatomyHard
Why is the proximal pole of the scaphoid at risk of avascular necrosis after a waist fracture?
- AIt has no blood supply at all
- BIts blood supply enters mainly from the distal end
- CIts only artery runs through the lunate
- DIt is drained by a single vein that clots easily
3.Human physiologyMedium
During contraction of a skeletal muscle sarcomere, which band stays the same length?
- AI band
- BThe whole sarcomere
- CA band
- DH zone
4.Human physiologyHard
After a head injury, a patient passes large volumes of very dilute urine and plasma sodium rises. What is the most likely cause?
- ALack of ADH release (cranial diabetes insipidus)
- BUncontrolled diabetes mellitus
- CExcess ADH release (SIADH)
- DExcess aldosterone
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
A greenhouse is warm and brightly lit, but the air has very little carbon dioxide. What is most likely limiting the rate of photosynthesis?
- AThe light intensity in the greenhouse
- BThe carbon dioxide concentration
- CThe temperature
- DThe number of stomata
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Two populations of one species live on separate islands for many thousands of years. When brought together, they can no longer interbreed. What has happened?
- AArtificial selection by humans
- BSpeciation after geographic isolation
- CHybrid vigour from crossbreeding
- DHomeostasis in both populations
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
Which statement about elements in the same group is correct?
- AThey have the same number of electron shells but different properties
- BThey are always all gases at room temperature
- CThey have the same number of valence electrons and similar chemical properties
- DThey have the same atomic mass and the same number of protons
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Carbon-14 (atomic number 6) decays by emitting a beta particle. What does it become?
- ANitrogen-14
- BCarbon-13
- CNitrogen-15
- DBoron-14
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: B · Phrenic nerve
Why this is the answer
The phrenic nerve (roots C3–C5) is the motor supply to the diaphragm. High cervical cord injury above C3 therefore stops spontaneous breathing.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: B · Its blood supply enters mainly from the distal end
Why this is the answer
Branches of the radial artery enter the scaphoid mainly distally and flow backwards. A fracture through the waist can cut off the proximal pole, causing avascular necrosis.
B · Its blood supply enters mainly from the distal end
3.Human physiology
Answer: C · A band
Why this is the answer
In the sliding filament model, filaments slide past each other without shortening. The A band (myosin length) stays the same while the I band and H zone shorten.
4.Human physiology
Answer: A · Lack of ADH release (cranial diabetes insipidus)
Why this is the answer
Without ADH the collecting ducts stay impermeable to water, so dilute urine is produced and the patient loses free water, raising plasma sodium.
A · Lack of ADH release (cranial diabetes insipidus)
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · The carbon dioxide concentration
Why this is the answer
When light and temperature are good, the factor in shortest supply limits the rate. Here it is CO₂, so adding CO₂ would speed up photosynthesis. Growers sometimes add CO₂ to greenhouses for this reason.
B · The carbon dioxide concentration
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · Speciation after geographic isolation
Why this is the answer
Geographic isolation stops gene flow. Over time, mutation, natural selection and chance change each population until they can no longer interbreed, forming new species.
B · Speciation after geographic isolation
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · They have the same number of valence electrons and similar chemical properties
Why this is the answer
Group members have the same outer-shell electron count, so they react similarly. Elements in a period share the number of shells.
C · They have the same number of valence electrons and similar chemical properties
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Nitrogen-14
Why this is the answer
Beta decay changes a neutron into a proton, so the atomic number goes from 6 to 7 (nitrogen) while the mass number stays 14. ¹⁴C → ¹⁴N + β⁻.