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 structure is the main bundle of nerve fibres connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres?
- ACerebral peduncle
- BCorpus callosum
- CInternal capsule
- DFornix
2.Human anatomyHard
After a fracture of the midshaft of the humerus, a patient cannot extend the wrist and fingers ("wrist drop"). Which nerve is most likely injured?
- AAxillary nerve
- BMedian nerve
- CRadial nerve
- DUlnar nerve
3.Human physiologyMedium
Low plasma albumin, as in severe liver disease, causes oedema mainly because:
- APlasma oncotic pressure falls
- BLymphatic drainage increases
- CThe capillaries become impermeable
- DCapillary hydrostatic pressure falls
4.Human physiologyHard
Why is severe hyperkalaemia dangerous for the heart?
- AIt blocks the binding of calcium to troponin
- BIt hyperpolarises cardiac cells, so they can never fire
- CIt depolarises cardiac cells, inactivating sodium channels and causing arrhythmias
- DIt speeds up the SA node until tachycardia causes fainting
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
Which stage of aerobic respiration produces the most ATP?
- AGlycolysis in the cytoplasm
- BFermentation
- CThe Krebs cycle in the matrix
- DThe electron transport chain
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Two parents who both have a genetic condition have a child who does not. Assuming a single gene, what inheritance pattern does this show?
- AAutosomal recessive, with both parents homozygous
- BAutosomal recessive, with both parents heterozygous
- CX-linked recessive, with the father as a carrier
- DAutosomal dominant, with both parents heterozygous
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
Which coefficients balance __N₂ + __H₂ → __NH₃?
- A1, 1, 1
- B2, 3, 2
- C1, 3, 1
- D1, 3, 2
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
A strip of magnesium is burned in air and the white ash weighs more than the original strip. Why?
- AOxygen from the air has combined with the magnesium
- BThe ash absorbed water from the flame
- CMass was created during the reaction
- DMagnesium atoms became heavier when heated
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: B · Corpus callosum
Why this is the answer
The corpus callosum is the largest commissure, linking matching areas of the two hemispheres. The internal capsule carries projection fibres up and down instead.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Radial nerve
Why this is the answer
The radial nerve runs in the radial (spiral) groove of the humeral shaft. It supplies the wrist and finger extensors, so injury causes wrist drop.
3.Human physiology
Answer: A · Plasma oncotic pressure falls
Why this is the answer
Albumin generates most of the plasma oncotic pressure that pulls fluid back into capillaries. When it falls, more fluid stays in the tissues.
A · Plasma oncotic pressure falls
4.Human physiology
Answer: C · It depolarises cardiac cells, inactivating sodium channels and causing arrhythmias
Why this is the answer
High extracellular potassium makes the resting potential less negative. Many fast sodium channels then become inactivated, slowing conduction and risking fatal arrhythmias.
C · It depolarises cardiac cells, inactivating sodium channels and causing arrhythmias
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · The electron transport chain
Why this is the answer
Glycolysis and the Krebs cycle make only a few ATP each. Most ATP is made in the electron transport chain, where energy from electrons drives ATP synthase in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
D · The electron transport chain
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · Autosomal dominant, with both parents heterozygous
Why this is the answer
If the trait were recessive, both affected parents would be aa and all children would be aa and affected. An unaffected child means the trait is dominant and both parents are Aa, so each child has a 1/4 chance of being aa and unaffected.
D · Autosomal dominant, with both parents heterozygous
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · 1, 3, 2
Why this is the answer
N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃: 2 N and 6 H on each side. This is the reaction used to make ammonia.
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Oxygen from the air has combined with the magnesium
Why this is the answer
2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO. The ash includes oxygen atoms taken from the air, so it weighs more than the magnesium alone. In a closed system, total mass would not change.
A · Oxygen from the air has combined with the magnesium
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