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 hepatic portal vein is formed by the union of which two veins?
- AInferior vena cava and renal vein
- BSuperior mesenteric vein and left renal vein
- CHepatic vein and splenic vein
- DSuperior mesenteric vein and splenic vein
2.Human anatomyHard
An ECG shows an infarct in leads II, III and aVF (inferior wall). Which coronary artery is most commonly blocked?
- AFirst diagonal branch
- BLeft anterior descending artery
- CRight coronary artery
- DLeft main coronary artery
3.Human physiologyMedium
What is the normal pH range of arterial blood?
- A7.50 to 7.65
- B6.80 to 7.00
- C7.00 to 7.20
- D7.35 to 7.45
4.Human physiologyHard
After several days of persistent vomiting of stomach contents, which acid–base disturbance is most likely?
- ARespiratory alkalosis
- BMetabolic acidosis
- CMetabolic alkalosis
- DRespiratory acidosis
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
What is the function of the pores in the nuclear envelope?
- AThey let chromosomes leave the nucleus to be copied
- BThey let molecules such as mRNA pass in and out
- CThey make ribosomal RNA for the cell
- DThey attach the nucleus to the cell membrane
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Fresh liver is dropped into hydrogen peroxide and bubbles form quickly. Boiled liver gives no bubbles. What is the best conclusion?
- ALiver contains an enzyme that is destroyed by boiling
- BBoiled liver contains more hydrogen peroxide than fresh liver
- CThe bubbles are carbon dioxide from respiration
- DHydrogen peroxide is broken down only by heat
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
What is the molar mass of sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄ (H = 1, S = 32, O = 16 g/mol)?
- A49 g/mol
- B96 g/mol
- C98 g/mol
- D50 g/mol
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Frying an egg turns the clear egg white solid and white. What happens to the proteins?
- AThey are hydrolysed, so the peptide bonds break into separate amino acids
- BThey are converted into fats
- CThey are burned to carbon dioxide and water
- DThey are denatured: their shape changes, but the peptide bonds stay intact
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: D · Superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein
Why this is the answer
The portal vein forms behind the neck of the pancreas from the superior mesenteric and splenic veins. It carries nutrient-rich blood to the liver.
D · Superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein
2.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Right coronary artery
Why this is the answer
The inferior wall is usually supplied by the right coronary artery through the posterior descending artery (right-dominant circulation), so inferior infarcts are mostly RCA occlusions.
C · Right coronary artery
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: C · Metabolic alkalosis
Why this is the answer
Vomiting removes HCl, and the stomach's acid secretion leaves bicarbonate in the blood. Volume loss and low potassium help keep the alkalosis going.
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · They let molecules such as mRNA pass in and out
Why this is the answer
Nuclear pores control traffic between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. mRNA and ribosome subunits leave through them, and proteins needed in the nucleus enter. DNA stays inside the nucleus.
B · They let molecules such as mRNA pass in and out
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Liver contains an enzyme that is destroyed by boiling
Why this is the answer
Catalase in liver breaks hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas, which forms the bubbles. Boiling denatures catalase, so no reaction occurs.
A · Liver contains an enzyme that is destroyed by boiling
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · 98 g/mol
Why this is the answer
(2 × 1) + 32 + (4 × 16) = 2 + 32 + 64 = 98 g/mol.
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · They are denatured: their shape changes, but the peptide bonds stay intact
Why this is the answer
Heat breaks the weak bonds (such as hydrogen bonds) that hold a protein's folded shape, so the chains unfold and tangle together. The covalent peptide bonds of the chain are not broken, so this is denaturation, not hydrolysis.
D · They are denatured: their shape changes, but the peptide bonds stay intact
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