Military Nursing Service (MNS) Entrance Biology Syllabus

Biology syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Biology in Military Nursing Service (MNS) Entrance, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Cell Biology and Biomolecules

   3 topics

   • Cell Structure and Function
     • Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
     • Cell organelles and their functions
     • Cell membrane and transport
   • Cell Cycle and Division
     • Mitosis and meiosis
     • Regulation of cell cycle
   • Biomolecules
     • Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
     • Enzymes and their mechanism
2. 2

   Plant Biology

   3 topics

   • Plant Morphology and Anatomy
     • Root, stem, leaf and flower
     • Plant tissues and tissue systems
   • Plant Physiology
     • Photosynthesis and respiration
     • Transport in plants and transpiration
     • Plant growth and hormones
   • Plant Reproduction
     • Sexual reproduction in flowering plants
     • Pollination and fertilization
3. 3

   Human Physiology

   5 topics

   • Digestion and Absorption
     • Alimentary canal and digestive glands
     • Absorption and assimilation
   • Circulation and Respiration
     • Heart structure and cardiac cycle
     • Blood and lymph
     • Respiratory system and gas exchange
   • Excretion and Nervous Control
     • Kidney and urine formation
     • Neuron and nerve impulse
     • Brain and reflex action
   • Endocrine System and Locomotion
     • Endocrine glands and hormones
     • Muscles, bones and joints
   • Human Reproduction
     • Male and female reproductive systems
     • Menstrual cycle and pregnancy
     • Reproductive health and contraception
4. 4

   Genetics and Evolution

   3 topics

   • Principles of Inheritance
     • Mendel's laws and dihybrid cross
     • Linkage, crossing over and sex determination
     • Genetic disorders
   • Molecular Basis of Inheritance
     • DNA structure and replication
     • Transcription and translation
     • Gene expression and regulation
   • Evolution
     • Theories of evolution
     • Evidence and mechanisms of evolution
5. 5

   Human Health, Ecology and Biotechnology

   3 topics

   • Human Health and Disease
     • Pathogens and common diseases
     • Immunity and the immune system
     • Communicable and lifestyle diseases
   • Microbes and Biotechnology
     • Microbes in human welfare
     • Principles and tools of biotechnology
     • Applications in health and agriculture
   • Ecology and Environment
     • Ecosystems and energy flow
     • Biodiversity and conservation
     • Environmental issues and pollution

Biology flashcards for Military Nursing Service (MNS) Entrance

22 of 52 cards from the Biology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the three tenets of the cell theory?

   All living organisms are composed of cells; the cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life; all cells arise from pre-existing cells (Virchow).

2. What is the key structural difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

   Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes have a true (membrane-bound) nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

3. Which organelle is called the 'powerhouse of the cell' and why?

   The mitochondrion, because it produces most of the cell's ATP through aerobic respiration (oxidative phosphorylation).

4. What is the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum versus the smooth ER?

   Rough ER (studded with ribosomes) synthesizes and processes proteins; smooth ER synthesizes lipids/steroids and detoxifies, and stores calcium.

5. State the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane.

   The membrane is a fluid phospholipid bilayer with proteins (integral and peripheral) embedded or attached, free to move laterally (Singer and Nicolson, 1972).

6. What are the phases of the cell cycle in order?

   Interphase (G1, S, G2) followed by the M phase (mitosis and cytokinesis); G0 is a quiescent resting phase.

7. In which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?

   The S (synthesis) phase of interphase.

8. List the four stages of mitosis (karyokinesis) in order.

   Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.

9. How does meiosis differ from mitosis in terms of products and chromosome number?

   Mitosis produces 2 genetically identical diploid cells; meiosis produces 4 genetically distinct haploid cells, halving the chromosome number.

10. During which stage of meiosis does crossing over (recombination) occur?

    Pachytene of Prophase I.

11. What are the four major classes of biomolecules?

    Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

12. What type of bond links amino acids together in a protein?

    The peptide bond (an amide bond formed by dehydration between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of the next).

13. What is the difference between a competitive and non-competitive enzyme inhibitor?

    A competitive inhibitor resembles the substrate and binds the active site (overcome by more substrate); a non-competitive inhibitor binds elsewhere (allosteric site), changing enzyme shape, and is not overcome by more substrate.

14. Name the monomer units of carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.

    Carbohydrates: monosaccharides; proteins: amino acids; nucleic acids: nucleotides.

15. What is the difference between a taproot and a fibrous root system?

    A taproot has one main primary root with smaller lateral roots (dicots); a fibrous root system has many thin roots of similar size arising from the stem base (monocots).

16. What is the function of stomata in plant leaves?

    Stomata are pores (bounded by guard cells) that allow gas exchange (CO2 in, O2 out) and transpiration (water vapour loss).

17. Distinguish xylem from phloem in terms of function and direction of transport.

    Xylem conducts water and minerals upward from roots to shoots; phloem translocates food (sugars) bidirectionally from source to sink.

18. What is photosynthesis and its overall equation?

    The process by which plants make glucose from CO2 and water using light energy: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

19. What is transpiration and where does most of it occur?

    Transpiration is the loss of water vapour from aerial parts of a plant, occurring mostly through the stomata of leaves.

20. Name the five major plant hormones and one function of each.

    Auxin (cell elongation/apical dominance), Gibberellin (stem elongation/germination), Cytokinin (cell division), Abscisic acid (stomatal closure/dormancy), Ethylene (fruit ripening).

21. What is double fertilization in angiosperms?

    One male gamete fuses with the egg to form the diploid zygote, and the other fuses with two polar nuclei to form the triploid (3n) endosperm.

22. Differentiate self-pollination from cross-pollination.

    Self-pollination transfers pollen to the stigma of the same flower/plant (autogamy); cross-pollination transfers pollen between flowers of different plants of the same species (allogamy).

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