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 pulse is felt just behind the medial malleolus of the ankle?
- ADorsalis pedis artery
- BFibular artery
- CPosterior tibial artery
- DPopliteal artery
2.Human anatomyHard
A pituitary tumour grows upwards and causes loss of both outer (temporal) halves of the visual field. Where is the visual pathway compressed?
- AOccipital cortex
- BRight optic nerve
- CLeft optic tract
- DOptic chiasm
3.Human physiologyMedium
Vital capacity is the sum of which lung volumes?
- AInspiratory reserve volume and residual volume
- BResidual volume and expiratory reserve volume
- CTidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume and expiratory reserve volume
- DTidal volume and residual volume
4.Human physiologyHard
Why can a patient with carbon monoxide poisoning have a normal PaO₂ but severe tissue hypoxia?
- ACO lowers the barometric pressure in the alveoli
- BCO blocks diffusion across the alveolar wall
- CCO stops oxygen from dissolving in plasma
- DCO occupies haemoglobin binding sites, so oxygen content falls
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
What happens to a protein when it is denatured?
- AIt turns into a carbohydrate
- BIt loses some of its amino acids but keeps its folded shape
- CIt loses its 3D shape but keeps its amino acid sequence
- DIt becomes more active than before
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Cystic fibrosis is caused by a faulty CFTR protein, which forms a chloride channel in the cell membrane. Which process is directly affected?
- AMovement of chloride ions through a membrane protein
- BProduction of ATP in the mitochondria
- CDiffusion of oxygen molecules through the lipid bilayer
- DCopying of DNA in the nucleus
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
How many covalent bonds does a carbon atom usually form?
- A2
- B1
- C3
- D4
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Gently heating DNA separates its two strands, but each strand stays in one piece. Why?
- AThe strands are held together by weak hydrogen bonds, while each strand's backbone is covalent
- BThe two strands are joined by ionic bonds that melt first
- CEach strand is held together by hydrogen bonds, while the two strands are joined by covalent bonds
- DHeat converts DNA into a protein
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Posterior tibial artery
Why this is the answer
The posterior tibial artery passes behind the medial malleolus into the sole. The dorsalis pedis pulse is felt on the top of the foot.
C · Posterior tibial artery
2.Human anatomy
Answer: D · Optic chiasm
Why this is the answer
Bitemporal hemianopia results from compression of the crossing nasal fibres at the optic chiasm, which lies directly above the pituitary gland.
3.Human physiology
Answer: C · Tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume and expiratory reserve volume
Why this is the answer
Vital capacity = IRV + TV + ERV. It excludes the residual volume, which always stays in the lungs.
C · Tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume and expiratory reserve volume
4.Human physiology
Answer: D · CO occupies haemoglobin binding sites, so oxygen content falls
Why this is the answer
CO binds haemoglobin far more strongly than oxygen and shifts the curve left. Dissolved O₂ (PaO₂) is normal, but total oxygen content and release to tissues drop sharply.
D · CO occupies haemoglobin binding sites, so oxygen content falls
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · It loses its 3D shape but keeps its amino acid sequence
Why this is the answer
Denaturing breaks the hydrogen bonds and other weak interactions that hold a protein's folded shape. The peptide bonds remain, so the sequence is unchanged, but the protein can no longer do its job.
C · It loses its 3D shape but keeps its amino acid sequence
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Movement of chloride ions through a membrane protein
Why this is the answer
The CFTR protein lets chloride ions cross the membrane. When it is faulty, chloride and water movement is reduced, so secretions such as airway mucus become thick and sticky.
A · Movement of chloride ions through a membrane protein
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · 4
Why this is the answer
Carbon has 4 valence electrons and shares 4 more by forming 4 bonds, as in CH₄. This is why carbon can build long chains and rings.
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · The strands are held together by weak hydrogen bonds, while each strand's backbone is covalent
Why this is the answer
The bases pair across the two strands through hydrogen bonds, which are relatively weak and break on heating. The sugar–phosphate backbone of each strand is held by strong covalent bonds, which stay intact.
A · The strands are held together by weak hydrogen bonds, while each strand's backbone is covalent
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