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 part of the brainstem contains the main cardiovascular and respiratory centres?
- AMidbrain
- BCerebellum
- CMedulla oblongata
- DPons
2.Human anatomyHard
During a lumbar puncture, which ligament is the last one pierced before the needle enters the epidural space?
- ALigamentum flavum
- BPosterior longitudinal ligament
- CSupraspinous ligament
- DInterspinous ligament
3.Human physiologyMedium
Which hormone makes the gallbladder contract after a fatty meal?
- AGastrin
- BInsulin
- CSecretin
- DCholecystokinin (CCK)
4.Human physiologyHard
At the start of a fever, a patient shivers and feels cold even though body temperature is rising. Why?
- AThe thermoreceptors in the skin are destroyed
- BSweating has already cooled the body too much
- CPyrogens raise the hypothalamic set point above the current body temperature
- DThe body has lost its ability to produce heat
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
Why can an electron microscope show more detail than a light microscope?
- AElectrons have a much shorter wavelength than light
- BElectron microscopes use living cells only
- CElectrons are brighter than light
- DElectron microscopes use stronger glass lenses
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Two plants are crossed, and about half of the offspring show the dominant trait and half show the recessive trait. What are the most likely genotypes of the parents?
- AHeterozygous × heterozygous
- BHomozygous dominant × heterozygous
- CHeterozygous × homozygous recessive
- DHomozygous dominant × homozygous recessive
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
Which substance is oxidised in the reaction 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO?
- ANeither substance changes its charge
- BMagnesium, because it loses electrons
- CMagnesium, because it gains electrons
- DOxygen, because it loses electrons
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
What is (8 × 10⁶) ÷ (2 × 10⁻²)?
- A4 × 10⁴
- B16 × 10⁴
- C4 × 10⁸
- D4 × 10⁻¹²
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Medulla oblongata
Why this is the answer
The medulla oblongata contains the vital centres that regulate heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rhythm.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: A · Ligamentum flavum
Why this is the answer
The needle passes skin, supraspinous and interspinous ligaments, then ligamentum flavum into the epidural space, then dura and arachnoid into the subarachnoid space.
3.Human physiology
Answer: D · Cholecystokinin (CCK)
Why this is the answer
Fat and protein in the duodenum release CCK, which contracts the gallbladder and stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion.
D · Cholecystokinin (CCK)
4.Human physiology
Answer: C · Pyrogens raise the hypothalamic set point above the current body temperature
Why this is the answer
Pyrogens trigger prostaglandin E₂ in the hypothalamus, raising the set point. Until body temperature reaches the new set point, heat-gain responses such as shivering occur.
C · Pyrogens raise the hypothalamic set point above the current body temperature
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Electrons have a much shorter wavelength than light
Why this is the answer
The shorter the wavelength, the higher the resolution. Electron beams have far shorter wavelengths than visible light, so electron microscopes can separate points that are much closer together.
A · Electrons have a much shorter wavelength than light
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · Heterozygous × homozygous recessive
Why this is the answer
A 1 : 1 ratio is typical of Aa × aa, a heterozygote crossed with a homozygous recessive. Aa × Aa gives 3 : 1, and any cross with an AA parent gives only dominant offspring.
C · Heterozygous × homozygous recessive
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · Magnesium, because it loses electrons
Why this is the answer
Oxidation is loss of electrons: Mg → Mg²⁺ + 2e⁻. Oxygen gains those electrons and is reduced.
B · Magnesium, because it loses electrons
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · 4 × 10⁸
Why this is the answer
8 ÷ 2 = 4, and 10⁶ ÷ 10⁻² = 10⁶⁻⁽⁻²⁾ = 10⁸. So the answer is 4 × 10⁸. Subtracting a negative exponent adds to it.
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