WISHING YOU MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A JOYFUL SEASON!

WISHING YOU MERRY CHRISTMAS

KNOW YOUR TIRE NUMBERS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FANS IN THE USA!

There are many things to be thankful for during this THANKSGIVING SEASON. 

If there is nothing that you can think of, just thank God for the gift of life. 

There are many who would have loved to be alive today but they are not!

 There are many who wish they could laugh, talk, walk, smile, hear, dance, eat, and even pee, but they cannot! 

There are many who wish they had three square meals a day but they cannot! 

There are many who wish they have a place they can call home, but they cannot!

JUST BE GRATEFUL FOR WHATEVER YOU HAVE!

HAVE FUN!

Enjoy this hymn by Johnson Oatman

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God has done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH EXPLANATIONS

VIDEO LESSON ON NATURAL SELECTION

VIDEO LESSONS AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS

VIDEO QUIZ ON MOVEMENT ACROSS THE CELL MEMBRANE

PRACTICE QUESTIONS ON MOVEMENT ACROSS THE CELL MEMBRANE

ANSWERS TO QUESTION FOR THE DAY

1. A student placed a blue ink drop in a jar of water. After some time, the whole water turned blue. Which of the following processes occurred?
A. Osmosis
B. Simple Diffusion
C. Active Diffusion
D. Facilitated diffusion

2. Water enters the roots of plants by which of the following process?
A. Osmosis
B. Simple Diffusion
C. Active Diffusion
D. Facilitated diffusion

3. Oxygen from the atmosphere enters the blood from the lung by ____________________ .
A. Osmosis
B. Simple Diffusion
C. Active Diffusion
D. Facilitated diffusion

4. The Na+/K+ ATPase pumps sodium and potassium in  and out of the cell by ____________ .
A. Osmosis
B. Simple Diffusion
C. Active Diffusion
D. Facilitated diffusion

5. When a red blood cell (RBC) is placed in a hypertonic solution, it will ____________________ .
A. Increase in size
B. Shrink
C. Rupture
D. Remain the same

6. When a red blood cell (RBC) is placed in a hypotonic solution, it will ____________________ .
A. Increase in size and rupture
B. Shrink
C. Crenate
D. Remain the same

QUESTION FOR THE DAY

1. A student placed a blue ink drop in a jar of water. After some time, the whole water turned blue. Which of the following processes occurred?
A. Osmosis
B. Simple Diffusion
C. Active Diffusion
D. Facilitated diffusion

2. Water enters the roots of plants by which of the following process?
A. Osmosis
B. Simple Diffusion
C. Active Diffusion
D. Facilitated diffusion

3. Oxygen from the atmosphere enters the blood from the lung by ____________________ .
A. Osmosis
B. Simple Diffusion
C. Active Diffusion
D. Facilitated diffusion

4. The Na+/K+ ATPase pumps sodium and potassium in  and out of the cell by ____________ .
A. Osmosis
B. Simple Diffusion
C. Active Diffusion
D. Facilitated diffusion

5. When a red blood cell (RBC) is placed in a hypertonic solution, it will ____________________ .
A. Increase in size
B. Shrink
C. Rupture
D. Remain the same

6. When a red blood cell (RBC) is placed in a hypotonic solution, it will ____________________ .
A. Increase in size and rupture
B. Shrink
C. Crenate
D. Remain the same

QUESTION FOR THE DAY

1. How would cream crackers taste if it is chewed slowly?

A. Sweet     B. Bitter     C. Sour      D. Tasteless

2. What will be the end-product of maltose digestion?

A. glucose     B. glucose and galactose    C. galactose     D. glucose and fructose

3. What will be the end-product of sucrose digestion?

A. glucose     B. glucose and galactose    C. galactose and fructose     D. glucose and fructose

4. What will be the end-product of lactose digestion?

A. glucose     B. glucose and galactose    C. galactose and fructose     D. glucose and fructose

5. Which of the following will turn blue-black when test with Lugol's solution?

A. protein     B. starch    C. glucose     D.  fructose

CELL CHEMISTRY

There are three types of substances that life is dependent on. These are carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids (fats).                                                                                                                                                      

C  

1. Carbohydrates: These are used to produce energy for cellular activities.                                          

Types of carbohydrates:                                                                                                                            (a) simple sugars (monosaccharides): One sugar molecule–  Examples: Glucose, fructose and galactose.            

                               

(b) disaccharides: Two monosaccharide joined together.                  

Examples: Lactose = glucose + galactose; Sucrose = glucose + fructose; Maltose = glucose + glucose 

   

Exam hints: Memorize what the disaccharides are composed of.  In order words, what are the end products if you break down or digest a disaccharide.

                                                                                

(c) Complex sugars: Starch, cellulose and glycogen are made up of so many glucose joined together.

Exam hints: Glycogen is the storage form of carbohydrate in animals only . Cellulose is only found in plant cells.

2. Proteins are made up of amino acids. Proteins are the structural building blocks of the organism.

3. Lipids (Fats and oil) are made up of fatty acids and glycerol.

Test for some food substances:

Type of food substance	Test
Starch	Iodine test: Turns blue-black
Simple sugar (Glucose)	(a) Benedicts test: Brick-red coloration (b) Fehlings test: brick red coloration
Protein	Biuret test: light-blue color becomes purple
Lipid	Paper test: Oil stains paper

Exam hints: Memorize the test for the food substances.

WHAT IS MATTER?

Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass. There are three states of matter:

•  solid
•  liquid
• gas. 

Matter can be classified according to two properties:

•  physical (properties observed without changing the composition of the substance)
•  chemical (properties that describe the tendency of a substance to undergo chemical reactions that change its chemical composition)

Physical properties can be described as:

• intensive or 
• extensive. 

What is an intensive property?

Intensive properties are the same for all samples and do not depend on sample size. Examples: color, physical state, melting and boiling points, optical density. 

What is an extensive property?

Extensive properties depend on the amount of material. and include mass and volume. 

The ratio of two extensive properties, mass and volume, is an important intensive property called density.

What is a physical change?
A physical change involves the conversion of a substance from one state of matter to another, without changing its chemical composition. 

Most matter consists of mixtures of pure substances, which can be:

•  homogeneous (uniform in composition) or 
• heterogeneous (different regions possess different compositions and properties). 

What is a pure substance?
Pure substances can be either chemical compounds or elements. 

What is the difference between a compound and an element?
Compounds can be broken down into elements by chemical reactions, but elements cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical means.   

Read more by clicking on this link.

THE BRAIN AND ITS FUNCTIONS

RNA, DNA, GENES, AND CHROMOSOMES PRACTICE QUESTIONS

THE CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Functions of some cell organelle:

1.      Nucleus: Control center of the cell. Contains DNA which directs the synthesis of  

      proteins by the cell.

2.      Mitochondria: Carries on the process of cell respiration by converting glucose to 

      ATP energy.

3.  Ribosome: Found on the endoplasmic reticulum and free within the cell. 

Responsible for the synthesis of proteins for the cell.

4.  Endoplasmic reticulum: Transport channels within the cell.

5.  Food vacuole: stores and digests food.

6.  Lysosomes: Contain digestive enzymes. Breaks down substances in the cell.

7. Contractile vacuoles: Pumps out wastes and excess water from the cell.

8.  Cell membrane: Selectively regulates the materials moving to and from the cell.

 9.  Chloroplast: Found only in plant cells and algae. Contains chlorophyll (the green   

     coloring substance in plants) which carries on the process of photosynthesis.

10. Cell wall: Surrounds and supports plant cells. Only in plants. The cell wall is formed  

     from the cell plate during cell division.

EXAM TIPS:

• If you see centriole and centrosome in a question, think of an animal cell. They occur only in animal cells and they are involved in cell division where they produce spindles.
•  If you see cell plate and chloroplasts in a question, think of a plant cell. They occur only in plant cells.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

1. A student was looking at a cell under the microscope and noticed that centrosomes were present. Which   type of cell was the person looking at?
       A. Bean cell
       B. Carrot cell
       C. Cat cell
       D. Cabbage cell

2. A certain drug inhibited the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This drug acted on which of the  following organelle?
       A. Endoplasmic reticulum
       B. Nucleus
       C. Mitochondrium
       D. Ribosmes

3. A student was looking at a cell under the microscope and noticed that chloroplasts were present. Which  type of cell was the person looking at?
       A. Dog cell
       B. Mouse cell
       C. Cat cell
       D. Cabbage cell

4. Nucleus is to DNA as chloroplast is to _________________ .
       A. RNA
       B. Plant
       C. ATP
       D. Chlorophyll

5. The genetic blueprint of life can be found in which of the following structure?
       A. Endoplasmic reticulum
       B. Nucleus
       C. Mitochondrium
       D. Ribosmes

6. Which of the following is not involved in protein synthesis?
      A. Endoplasmic reticulum
       B. Nucleus
       C. Mitochondrium

       D. Ribosmes

Answers: 
1. C. Cat cell (Centrosomes occur only in animal cells)
2. C. Mitochondrium (Mitochondrium is involved in ATP production so inhibiting it will lead to decreased production)
3. D. Cabbage cell (Chloroplast is found only in plant cells)
4.  D. Chlorophyll
5. B. Nucleus (Nucleus contains the DNA, the genetic blueprint of life)

6. C. Mitochondrium

THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

An endocrine gland is a gland without ducts. The secretions are released directly into the blood. The endocrine glands secrete hormones that regulate various metabolic activities in the body.
Here is a good diagram of the endocrine system. Click here. You can be given a diagram like this and you could be asked to identify the various glands.

Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus produces eight (8) hormones. Some of the hormones stimulate the pituitary gland to produce other hormones.

1. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone - This acts on the pituitary to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
2. Growth hormone-releasing hormone-This acts on the pituitary to release growth hormone (GH)
3. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone -This acts on the pituitary to release gonadotropins, namely, Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH).
4. Corticotropin-releasing hormone -This acts on the pituitary to release adrenocorticotropic hormone.
5. Oxytocin -This causes uterine contractions and also helps with secretion of the breast milk during lactation.
6. Dopamine - It is a neuroendocrine transmitter. Acts as a neuro-transmitter and also stimulates the release of othe hormones.
7. Vasopressin (Antidiuretic hormone -ADH) - Acts on the kidneys to prevent the lost of water via the urine.
8. Somatostatin - It inhibits the release of growth hormone.

Pituitary gland: Has an anterior (hormone-producing glandular) portion and a posterior (neural) portion which is an extension of the hypothalamus.  Two hormones ( Oxytocin and ADH) produced by the hypothalamus are stored in the posterior pituitary later release.

Four of the six pituitary hormones are tropic hormones. They regulate the function of other endocrine glands.Here are the hormones produced by the anterior portion:

1.  Growth hormone (GH): It stimulates growth of all body tissues but especially skeletal muscle and bone. GH mobilizes fats, stimulates protein synthesis, and inhibits glucose uptake and metabolism. Over production can lead to gigantism while underproduction can lead to dwarfism.

2. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): This promotes normal development and activity of the thyroid gland. 

3. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): This stimulates the adrenal cortex to release  corticosteroids. 

4. The gonadotropins (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)): These regulate the functions of the gonads in both sexes. 

     (a) FSH stimulates sex cell production.  

     (b) LH stimulates gonadal hormone production. 

5. Prolactin (PRL): This promotes milk production in humans females. 

The posterior portion stores and releases two hypothalamic hormones:

1. Oxytocin: This stimulates powerful uterine contractions during labor and delivery of babies. It also causes milk ejection in nursing women. 

2. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): This stimulates the kidney tubules to reabsorb and conserve water. This results in the production of small volumes of highly concentrated urine and decreased plasma osmolality. Underproduction leads to a condition called diabetes insipidus, where the affected person passes a lot of diluted urine.

Thyroid gland

It produces the thyroid hormone (TH), which includes thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). It increases the rate of cellular metabolism. 

Calcitonin, is produced by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland. It decreases the blood calcium levels.

Parathyroid glands

It secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH), which causes an increase in blood calcium levels.

Pancreas

The pancreas is both an exocrine and an endocrine gland. Exocrine means that it has ducts. The endocrine portion (islets of langerhans) releases insulin and glucagon. It also releases smaller amounts of other hormones to the blood.

Glucagon, released by alpha (α) cells - It increases the glucose level in the blood.

Insulin is released by beta (β) cells - It reduces the glucose level in the blood. It increases the rate of glucose uptake and metabolism by most body cells. 

Gonads

The ovaries of the female release two main hormones - estrogens and progesterone. Estrogens stimulate maturation of the female reproductive system and development of the secondary sexual characteristics. Progesterone works with estrogens in establishing the menstrual cycle.

The testes of the male produce testosterone. It promotes maturation of the male reproductive organs, development of secondary sex characteristics, and production of sperm by the testes.

Pineal gland

The pineal gland produces the hormone  melatonin, which influences daily rhythms such as sleep and wake patterns.

Thymus 
It is an important organ of the immune system during the developmental stages of life. It vanished by the time of birth. The T-cells mature here.

OVERVIEW OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

RESOURCES: PREPARING FOR NURSING ENTRANCE EXAMS

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS YOU CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO KNOW

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

The basic unit of the living organism is the cell. To pass the test, you must know the functions of the cell organelles very well. You must know the difference between the animal and plant cell.
You can review the cell structure and functions from the past lessons and then proceed to the multiple choice questions to test your skills. Click here to review the lesson.

Here is a link to practice on questions related to the cell structure and functions.

HOW TO ACE THE PRE-NLN ENTRANCE EXAM

HOW TO STUDY FOR NURSING ENTRANCE EXAMS

Preparing for any exam requires adequate preparation and strategies. This video highlights how you can strategically prepare for nursing entrance exams such as Pre-NLN, TEAS, Kaplan, and HESI. If you deligently follow the laid out strategies, we will definitely suceed on the exam.

TOP-NOTCH BLOGS FOR NURSING ENTRANCE EXAMS