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 layer of the heart wall contains the cardiac muscle?
- AEndocardium
- BPericardium
- CMyocardium
- DEpicardium
2.Human anatomyHard
When a patient stands on the right leg only, the left side of the pelvis drops (positive Trendelenburg sign). Which nerve is most likely damaged?
- ALeft superior gluteal nerve
- BRight inferior gluteal nerve
- CRight superior gluteal nerve
- DRight femoral nerve
3.Human physiologyMedium
Where does the final activation step of vitamin D (1-alpha hydroxylation) take place?
- AKidney
- BLiver
- CSmall intestine
- DSkin
4.Human physiologyHard
A young woman has muscle weakness that gets worse with repeated use and improves with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. What is the most likely mechanism?
- AAntibodies against acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction
- BLoss of motor neurons in the spinal cord
- CA defect in the dystrophin protein of muscle
- DDemyelination of central nervous system tracts
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
What is the role of cholesterol in animal cell membranes?
- AIt forms a rigid wall around the cell
- BIt carries glucose molecules across the membrane into the cell
- CIt stores the cell's genetic information
- DIt keeps membrane fluidity stable as temperature changes
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
To find out how much adults in a city exercise, a researcher surveys only people leaving a gym. What is the main problem?
- AThe researcher has no dependent variable
- BThe sample is biased towards active people
- CThe sample is too random to be useful
- DSurveys can never be used in science
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
You dilute 100 mL of a 2 M solution to a total volume of 400 mL. What is the new concentration?
- A1 M
- B8 M
- C0.5 M
- D2 M
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
2090 J of heat is added to 50 g of water (specific heat 4.18 J/g·°C). By how much does its temperature rise?
- A20 °C
- B10 °C
- C41.8 °C
- D5 °C
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Myocardium
Why this is the answer
The myocardium is the thick muscular middle layer. The endocardium lines the chambers and the epicardium covers the outside.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Right superior gluteal nerve
Why this is the answer
The superior gluteal nerve supplies gluteus medius and minimus. If those of the standing (right) leg are weak, the pelvis sags on the opposite, unsupported side.
C · Right superior gluteal nerve
3.Human physiology
Answer: A · Kidney
Why this is the answer
Vitamin D is made in the skin or eaten, hydroxylated in the liver, and then activated to calcitriol in the kidney. Kidney failure therefore causes vitamin D deficiency.
4.Human physiology
Answer: A · Antibodies against acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction
Why this is the answer
In myasthenia gravis, autoantibodies reduce the number of functional acetylcholine receptors. Blocking acetylcholinesterase leaves more ACh to bind the remaining receptors.
A · Antibodies against acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · It keeps membrane fluidity stable as temperature changes
Why this is the answer
Cholesterol molecules between the phospholipids stop the membrane from becoming too fluid when warm or too stiff when cold. Plant cells use a cell wall for rigidity instead.
D · It keeps membrane fluidity stable as temperature changes
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · The sample is biased towards active people
Why this is the answer
Gym-goers exercise more than the average adult, so the sample overestimates exercise. A random sample of the whole population would be better.
B · The sample is biased towards active people
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · 0.5 M
Why this is the answer
The moles of solute stay the same: 2 × 100 = C₂ × 400, so C₂ = 0.5 M. Diluting four times lowers the concentration four times.
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · 10 °C
Why this is the answer
ΔT = q ÷ (m × c) = 2090 ÷ (50 × 4.18) = 2090 ÷ 209 = 10 °C.