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?
- ABrachialis
- BCoracobrachialis
- CTriceps brachii
- DBiceps brachii
2.Human anatomyHard
Which muscle "unlocks" the fully extended knee by rotating the femur laterally on the tibia at the start of flexion?
- APopliteus
- BBiceps femoris
- CSartorius
- DGastrocnemius
3.Human physiologyMedium
Why do myelinated axons conduct action potentials faster than unmyelinated ones?
- AMyelin releases neurotransmitter along the axon
- BMyelin makes the axon thinner
- CMyelin contains more sodium channels
- DThe impulse jumps between nodes of Ranvier
4.Human physiologyHard
A patient hyperventilating during a panic attack has tingling fingers. What would the arterial blood gas most likely show?
- AHigh pH and high bicarbonate
- BHigh pH and low PaCO₂
- CLow pH and low bicarbonate
- DLow pH and high PaCO₂
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
In which phase of mitosis do the chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope break down?
- AProphase
- BMetaphase
- CTelophase
- DAnaphase
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
A large molecule contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus. Its monomers each have a sugar and a base. What type of molecule is it?
- AA nucleic acid
- BA lipid
- CA carbohydrate
- DA protein
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
When the diaphragm contracts and the chest cavity gets bigger, what happens to the air pressure inside the lungs?
- AIt falls, so air flows in
- BIt falls, so air flows out
- CIt rises, so air flows in
- DIt does not change
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Pepsin digests protein in the stomach at about pH 2, but it stops working once food moves into the small intestine, where the pH is higher. Why?
- APepsin is used up completely in the stomach, just like a reactant
- BPepsin only works on fats in the small intestine
- CThe small intestine is too cold for any enzyme
- DThe change in pH alters the shape of pepsin's active site
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: C · 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: A · Popliteus
Why this is the answer
At full extension the knee locks by medial rotation of the femur. Popliteus laterally rotates the femur on the fixed tibia to unlock it so flexion can begin.
3.Human physiology
Answer: D · The impulse jumps between nodes of Ranvier
Why this is the answer
Myelin insulates the axon, so action potentials are only generated at the nodes of Ranvier. This saltatory conduction is much faster.
D · The impulse jumps between nodes of Ranvier
4.Human physiology
Answer: B · High pH and low PaCO₂
Why this is the answer
Hyperventilation blows off CO₂ and causes acute respiratory alkalosis. Alkalosis increases calcium binding to albumin, lowering ionised calcium and causing tingling.
B · High pH and low PaCO₂
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Prophase
Why this is the answer
In prophase the chromosomes coil up and become visible, the nuclear envelope breaks down and the spindle starts to form. In telophase the reverse happens.
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · A nucleic acid
Why this is the answer
Nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA are made of nucleotides, each with a sugar, a phosphate and a nitrogen base. Proteins are made of amino acids and usually lack phosphorus in their backbone.
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · It falls, so air flows in
Why this is the answer
At constant temperature, a larger volume means a lower pressure. The pressure inside the lungs falls below atmospheric pressure, so air moves in. This is inhalation.
A · It falls, so air flows in
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · The change in pH alters the shape of pepsin's active site
Why this is the answer
Enzymes work best at an optimum pH. Away from it, changes in charge on the enzyme disturb the bonds holding its shape, so the active site no longer fits the substrate.
D · The change in pH alters the shape of pepsin's active site
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