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 muscle is the main extensor of the elbow?
- ATriceps brachii
- BBrachialis
- CCoracobrachialis
- DBiceps brachii
2.Human anatomyHard
Injury to the common fibular (peroneal) nerve at the neck of the fibula typically causes:
- AWeak hip abduction
- BFoot drop
- CLoss of sensation on the sole of the foot
- DInability to flex the knee
3.Human physiologyMedium
Which hormonal event triggers ovulation?
- AA fall in oestrogen
- BA rise in progesterone from the corpus luteum
- CA surge of luteinising hormone (LH)
- DA surge of prolactin
4.Human physiologyHard
Which spirometry finding is typical of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
- AFEV1/FVC ratio below 0.7
- BNormal FEV1 with low FVC
- CIncreased peak expiratory flow
- DFEV1/FVC ratio above 0.9 with low FVC
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
What is the job of the checkpoints in the cell cycle?
- ATo copy the DNA a second time before mitosis
- BTo speed up division whenever the cell is short of nutrients or space
- CTo stop the cycle if the DNA is damaged or the cell is not ready
- DTo join the two daughter cells back together
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
In the Hershey–Chase experiment, viruses were labelled with radioactive phosphorus in their DNA or radioactive sulfur in their protein. Only the phosphorus entered the infected bacteria. What did this show?
- ADNA, not protein, is the genetic material of the virus
- BViruses contain no DNA at all
- CProtein, not DNA, is the genetic material of the virus
- DBacteria take up any radioactive substance
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
In the balanced equation __Mg + __HCl → __MgCl₂ + __H₂, what is the coefficient of HCl?
- A2
- B4
- C1
- D3
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Sugar is heated in a pan. Which observation shows that a chemical change, not just a physical change, has happened?
- AThe crystals become smaller when crushed
- BIt melts into a clear, runny liquid that sets again when it cools
- CIt turns black and gives off water vapour, leaving a solid that is no longer sweet
- DIt gets hot to the touch
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: A · Triceps brachii
Why this is the answer
Triceps brachii inserts on the olecranon of the ulna and extends the elbow. Biceps and brachialis are elbow flexors.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: B · 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: C · 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.
C · A surge of luteinising hormone (LH)
4.Human physiology
Answer: A · FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.7
Why this is the answer
Narrowed airways slow expiration, so FEV1 falls more than FVC and the ratio drops below 0.7. In COPD this is not fully reversed by bronchodilators.
A · FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.7
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · To stop the cycle if the DNA is damaged or the cell is not ready
Why this is the answer
Checkpoints check things such as DNA damage and correct spindle attachment. If there is a problem, the cycle pauses for repair or the cell undergoes apoptosis. Faulty checkpoints can lead to cancer.
C · To stop the cycle if the DNA is damaged or the cell is not ready
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · DNA, not protein, is the genetic material of the virus
Why this is the answer
Phosphorus is part of the DNA backbone, while sulfur is found in proteins but not in DNA. Since only the labelled DNA entered the cells and directed new viruses, DNA must carry the genetic instructions.
A · DNA, not protein, is the genetic material of the virus
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · 2
Why this is the answer
MgCl₂ has 2 Cl, so 2HCl is needed, which also gives 2 H for H₂: Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂.
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · It turns black and gives off water vapour, leaving a solid that is no longer sweet
Why this is the answer
Melting, heating and crushing do not change what the substance is. Charring produces carbon and water, new substances with different properties, so a chemical change has occurred.
C · It turns black and gives off water vapour, leaving a solid that is no longer sweet
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