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 valve lies between the left atrium and the left ventricle?
- AMitral (bicuspid) valve
- BPulmonary valve
- CAortic valve
- DTricuspid valve
2.Human anatomyHard
Early appendicitis is often felt as vague pain around the umbilicus. Why?
- AIts visceral nerves enter the cord at T10, like the umbilical skin
- BInflammation spreads first to the abdominal wall at the navel region
- CThe appendix lies directly behind the umbilicus
- DThe phrenic nerve carries the pain to the umbilicus
3.Human physiologyMedium
Which hormonal event triggers ovulation?
- AA rise in progesterone from the corpus luteum
- BA surge of luteinising hormone (LH)
- CA surge of prolactin
- DA fall in oestrogen
4.Human physiologyHard
Why does left ventricular failure cause pulmonary oedema?
- ARaised left atrial pressure increases pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
- BThe right ventricle pumps less blood into the lungs
- CPlasma oncotic pressure in the lungs rises sharply
- DThe bronchial arteries become blocked
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
What are the products of aerobic cellular respiration?
- ACarbon dioxide, water and ATP
- BStarch and water
- CGlucose and oxygen
- DLactic acid and oxygen
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
The antibiotic tetracycline binds to bacterial ribosomes. Which process does it block, and why are human cells much less affected?
- ADNA replication, because bacteria have no DNA polymerase
- BTranslation, because human cells have no ribosomes
- CTranslation, because bacterial ribosomes differ from human ribosomes
- DTranscription, because human cells have no RNA polymerase of their own
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
How should the volume of water in a graduated cylinder be read?
- AAt any angle, from the middle of the cylinder
- BAt eye level, from the bottom of the curved surface (meniscus)
- CFrom below, at the highest point the water touches the glass
- DFrom above the cylinder, at the top edge of the curved surface
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Which isotope notation describes an atom with 8 protons and 10 neutrons?
- AArgon-18
- BOxygen-10
- CNeon-18
- DOxygen-18
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: A · Mitral (bicuspid) valve
Why this is the answer
The mitral (bicuspid) valve separates the left atrium and left ventricle; the tricuspid valve does the same on the right side.
A · Mitral (bicuspid) valve
2.Human anatomy
Answer: A · Its visceral nerves enter the cord at T10, like the umbilical skin
Why this is the answer
Visceral pain from midgut structures is referred to the T10 dermatome around the umbilicus. When the parietal peritoneum becomes inflamed, pain localises to the right iliac fossa.
A · Its visceral nerves enter the cord at T10, like the umbilical skin
3.Human physiology
Answer: B · A surge of luteinising hormone (LH)
Why this is the answer
Rising oestrogen from the dominant follicle triggers an LH surge from the anterior pituitary, which causes ovulation about a day later.
B · A surge of luteinising hormone (LH)
4.Human physiology
Answer: A · Raised left atrial pressure increases pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
Why this is the answer
A failing left ventricle backs up pressure into the left atrium and pulmonary veins. High capillary hydrostatic pressure pushes fluid into the lung interstitium and alveoli.
A · Raised left atrial pressure increases pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Carbon dioxide, water and ATP
Why this is the answer
Glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy (ATP). Glucose and oxygen are the reactants, not the products.
A · Carbon dioxide, water and ATP
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · Translation, because bacterial ribosomes differ from human ribosomes
Why this is the answer
Ribosomes carry out translation. Bacterial ribosomes (70S) are smaller and differ in structure from human cytoplasmic ribosomes (80S), so some antibiotics can target them selectively.
C · Translation, because bacterial ribosomes differ from human ribosomes
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · At eye level, from the bottom of the curved surface (meniscus)
Why this is the answer
Water forms a concave meniscus. The reading is taken at the bottom of the curve with the eye level with the surface, which avoids parallax error.
B · At eye level, from the bottom of the curved surface (meniscus)
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · Oxygen-18
Why this is the answer
8 protons make it oxygen; the mass number is 8 + 10 = 18, so it is oxygen-18 (¹⁸O).
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