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
- BLeft and right external carotid arteries
- CJugular and vertebral systems
- DExternal carotid and subclavian arterial systems
2.Human anatomyHard
What is the correct order of structures that urine passes through after leaving the collecting ducts?
- ARenal pelvis, minor calyx, major calyx, ureter
- BMinor calyx, renal pelvis, major calyx, ureter
- CMinor calyx, major calyx, renal pelvis, ureter
- DMajor calyx, minor calyx, renal pelvis, ureter
3.Human physiologyMedium
Why is the oxygen–haemoglobin dissociation curve S-shaped?
- AHaemoglobin can bind only one oxygen molecule
- BBinding of one oxygen makes the next bind more easily
- COxygen dissolves better in plasma at high partial pressure
- DRed cells change size as they take up oxygen
4.Human physiologyHard
Why does a person with lactase deficiency get diarrhoea and bloating after drinking milk?
- AMilk protein triggers an allergic reaction
- BLactose is absorbed too quickly and raises blood glucose
- CLactose damages the villi directly
- DUndigested lactose draws water into the gut and is fermented by colonic bacteria
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
What is the job of the checkpoints in the cell cycle?
- ATo speed up division whenever the cell is short of nutrients or space
- BTo stop the cycle if the DNA is damaged or the cell is not ready
- CTo copy the DNA a second time before mitosis
- DTo join the two daughter cells back together
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Finches on the Galápagos Islands have different beak shapes on islands with different foods. What is the best explanation?
- AThe beaks changed because the birds chose to eat new food
- BNatural selection favoured beaks suited to each food source
- CThe birds were all created with the same beak and it never changed
- DEach bird changed its beak by using it more
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 5 days. A sample starts with 80 g. How much is left after 10 days?
- A20 g
- B0 g
- C40 g
- D10 g
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
What is the formula of iron(III) chloride?
- AFe₂Cl₃
- BFeCl₃
- CFeCl₂
- DFe₃Cl
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: C · Minor calyx, major calyx, renal pelvis, ureter
Why this is the answer
Collecting ducts open at the renal papillae into minor calyces, which join to form major calyces, which empty into the renal pelvis and then the ureter.
C · Minor calyx, major calyx, renal pelvis, ureter
3.Human physiology
Answer: B · Binding of one oxygen makes the next bind more easily
Why this is the answer
Haemoglobin shows cooperative binding: each bound O₂ increases the affinity of the remaining sites, giving a sigmoid curve.
B · Binding of one oxygen makes the next bind more easily
4.Human physiology
Answer: D · Undigested lactose draws water into the gut and is fermented by colonic bacteria
Why this is the answer
Unabsorbed lactose acts osmotically, pulling water into the lumen. Colonic bacteria ferment it, producing gas and short-chain fatty acids.
D · Undigested lactose draws water into the gut and is fermented by colonic bacteria
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · To stop the cycle if the DNA is damaged or the cell is not ready
Why this is the answer
Checkpoints check things such as DNA damage and correct spindle attachment. If there is a problem, the cycle pauses for repair or the cell undergoes apoptosis. Faulty checkpoints can lead to cancer.
B · To stop the cycle if the DNA is damaged or the cell is not ready
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · Natural selection favoured beaks suited to each food source
Why this is the answer
On each island, birds with beaks better suited to the local seeds or insects fed better and left more offspring. Over many generations, beak shape changed in each population.
B · Natural selection favoured beaks suited to each food source
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · 20 g
Why this is the answer
10 days is 2 half-lives: 80 g → 40 g → 20 g. Each half-life halves the amount that is left, so the sample does not lose a fixed mass each time.
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · FeCl₃
Why this is the answer
Iron(III) means Fe³⁺. Three Cl⁻ ions are needed to balance it, giving FeCl₃. Iron(II) chloride, with Fe²⁺, would be FeCl₂.
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