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
The circle of Willis at the base of the brain connects which two arterial supplies?
- AInternal carotid and vertebrobasilar systems
- BJugular and vertebral systems
- CLeft and right external carotid arteries
- DExternal carotid and subclavian arterial systems
2.Human anatomyHard
A typical posterolateral disc herniation between L4 and L5 most often compresses which nerve root?
- AL5
- BL3
- CS1
- DL4
3.Human physiologyMedium
What is the normal pH range of arterial blood?
- A6.80 to 7.00
- B7.00 to 7.20
- C7.50 to 7.65
- D7.35 to 7.45
4.Human physiologyHard
A patient has taken high-dose prednisolone for a year. What is the state of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis?
- AThe adrenal medulla has stopped making adrenaline and noradrenaline
- BACTH is suppressed and the adrenal cortex has atrophied
- CACTH is high and the adrenal cortex is enlarged
- DACTH is normal and cortisol production is increased
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
In a food chain, producers hold 10 000 units of energy. Roughly how much is passed on to the primary consumers?
- AAbout 1000 units
- BAbout 10 000 units
- CAbout 5000 units
- DAbout 10 units
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Why do cells get far more ATP from glucose when oxygen is present than when it is absent?
- AWithout oxygen only glycolysis runs, giving a net of 2 ATP per glucose
- BWithout oxygen, glucose cannot enter the cell or be broken down at all
- COxygen itself is converted into ATP in the mitochondria
- DWithout oxygen the Krebs cycle runs faster but makes less ATP
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
Nitrogen is in group 15 of the periodic table. How many valence electrons does a nitrogen atom have?
- A7
- B3
- C5
- D15
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
The pH of a solution changes from 6 to 4. What happened to its hydrogen ion concentration?
- AIt became 2 times smaller
- BIt became 100 times greater
- CIt became 2 times greater
- DIt became 100 times smaller
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: A · Internal carotid and vertebrobasilar systems
Why this is the answer
The circle of Willis links the internal carotid arteries with the basilar artery (formed by the vertebral arteries), allowing some collateral flow.
A · Internal carotid and vertebrobasilar systems
2.Human anatomy
Answer: A · L5
Why this is the answer
A posterolateral L4–L5 herniation usually catches the traversing L5 root, causing weakness of big toe extension and numbness on the top of the foot.
3.Human physiology
Answer: D · 7.35 to 7.45
Why this is the answer
Arterial pH is normally 7.35–7.45. Below 7.35 is acidaemia and above 7.45 alkalaemia.
4.Human physiology
Answer: B · ACTH is suppressed and the adrenal cortex has atrophied
Why this is the answer
Exogenous glucocorticoid suppresses CRH and ACTH, so the adrenal cortex atrophies. Stopping the drug suddenly can cause an adrenal crisis, so it is tapered.
B · ACTH is suppressed and the adrenal cortex has atrophied
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · About 1000 units
Why this is the answer
Only about 10% of the energy at one level is passed to the next. The rest is used for life processes, lost as heat or left in parts that are not eaten.
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Without oxygen only glycolysis runs, giving a net of 2 ATP per glucose
Why this is the answer
Glycolysis gives a net of 2 ATP. With oxygen, pyruvate is fully oxidised in the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain, which make many more ATP. Without oxygen these stages stop, and fermentation only recycles NAD⁺ so that glycolysis can continue.
A · Without oxygen only glycolysis runs, giving a net of 2 ATP per glucose
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · 5
Why this is the answer
Group 15 elements have 5 valence electrons (nitrogen: 2, 5). Nitrogen usually gains or shares 3 electrons to complete its outer shell.
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · It became 100 times greater
Why this is the answer
Each pH unit is a tenfold change. Falling by 2 units raises [H⁺] by 10 × 10 = 100 times.
B · It became 100 times greater
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