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?
- ACorpus callosum
- BInternal capsule
- CFornix
- DCerebral peduncle
2.Human anatomyHard
An indirect inguinal hernia enters the inguinal canal at which point?
- AThrough the posterior wall of the canal, medial to the inferior epigastric vessels
- BBelow the inguinal ligament, through the femoral canal
- CThrough the superficial ring only, without entering the canal
- DThrough the deep inguinal ring, lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels
3.Human physiologyMedium
Which receptors respond mainly to a fall in arterial oxygen levels?
- APeripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies
- BBaroreceptors in the carotid sinus
- CCentral chemoreceptors in the medulla
- DStretch receptors in the lungs
4.Human physiologyHard
Which combination of signs is expected in a patient in early hypovolaemic shock after major bleeding?
- ATachycardia, warm flushed skin and high urine output
- BTachycardia, cool pale skin and reduced urine output
- CBradycardia, cool pale skin and high urine output
- DBradycardia, warm flushed skin and high urine output
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
How do saturated fats differ from unsaturated fats?
- AThey contain nitrogen and form proteins
- BThey have many double bonds and are liquid at room temperature
- CThey dissolve easily in water
- DThey have no C=C double bonds and are usually solid
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?
- AProtein, not DNA, is the genetic material of the virus
- BBacteria take up any radioactive substance
- CViruses contain no DNA at all
- DDNA, not protein, is the genetic material of the virus
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
When a nucleus emits an alpha particle, how do its mass number and atomic number change?
- AMass number falls by 4 and atomic number falls by 2
- BMass number falls by 2 and atomic number falls by 4
- CNeither changes
- DMass number stays the same and atomic number rises by 1
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
An ion has 12 protons and 10 electrons. What is it?
- AMg²⁺
- BNe
- CMg²⁻
- DNa⁺
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: A · 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: D · Through the deep inguinal ring, lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels
Why this is the answer
An indirect hernia passes through the deep ring, lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels, and runs along the canal. A direct hernia pushes through the posterior wall medial to them.
D · Through the deep inguinal ring, lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels
3.Human physiology
Answer: A · Peripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies
Why this is the answer
The carotid and aortic bodies detect low PaO₂ (and also high CO₂ and H⁺). The central chemoreceptors respond to CO₂ but not directly to oxygen.
A · Peripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies
4.Human physiology
Answer: B · Tachycardia, cool pale skin and reduced urine output
Why this is the answer
Baroreceptor-driven sympathetic activation raises heart rate and constricts skin vessels. Reduced renal perfusion, ADH and aldosterone lower urine output.
B · Tachycardia, cool pale skin and reduced urine output
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · They have no C=C double bonds and are usually solid
Why this is the answer
Saturated fatty acids have only single bonds, so they pack tightly and are solid (like butter). Double bonds in unsaturated fats cause kinks, so they are oils.
D · They have no C=C double bonds and are usually solid
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · 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.
D · DNA, not protein, is the genetic material of the virus
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Mass number falls by 4 and atomic number falls by 2
Why this is the answer
Losing 2 protons and 2 neutrons lowers the mass number by 4 and the atomic number by 2, so a new element forms two places earlier in the periodic table.
A · Mass number falls by 4 and atomic number falls by 2
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Mg²⁺
Why this is the answer
Element 12 is magnesium. It has two more protons than electrons, so the charge is 2+: Mg²⁺. A neon atom also has 10 electrons, but it has 10 protons too, so it is neutral, not an ion.
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