NURS 6233 MIDTERM EXAMINATION
ALREADY PASSED ANSWERS EDITION
Genetics & Fundamentals of Nursing | 2026-2027 Edition
STAR Complete Q&A Format | Correct Answers Marked | Full Rationale on Every Question
STAR
Genetics Disorders | Molecular Biology | Cell Cycle | Nursing Process | Vital Signs | Wound Care | Nutrition
,PART 1: GENETICS & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Types of genetic disorders | DNA structure | Cell cycle | Transcription & Translation | Meiosis & Mitosis
Types of Genetic Disorders
Type Mechanism Examples
Single Gene Mutation in one gene; follows Mendelian Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Disease,
inheritance Hemophilia
Chromosomal Abnormal chromosome number (aneuploidy) Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), Turner
or structure Syndrome
Mitochondrial Maternal inheritance; mitochondrial DNA; rare Energy metabolism disorders; passed via
ova
Multi-factorial Combination of genes + environment Spina bifida, Cleft lip, Heart disease,
Diabetes, Cancer
Key Genetics Terminology
Term Definition
Gene Unit of genetic information
Locus Precise position of a gene along a chromosome
Allele Alternative forms of a gene; found at same locus on homologous chromosome
Genotype Genetic constitution of an individual
Phenotype Physical/biochemical/physiological appearance; result of genotype + environment
interaction
Mutation Permanent change in nucleotide sequence; gamete mutation = inherited; somatic =
NOT inherited
Cytogenetics Branch of genetics studying chromosomes
Nucleotide Basic unit of DNA: nitrogenous base + pentose sugar + phosphate
Nucleoside Base + Sugar (no phosphate)
Nitrogenous Bases & DNA Structure
Bases Type Ring Pairs With H Bonds
Adenine (A) & Guanine Purines Double ring A-T / G-C A-T = 2 H bonds
(G)
Cytosine (C) & Thymine Pyrimidines Single ring C-G / T-A C-G = 3 H bonds
(T)
Uracil (U) — RNA only Pyrimidine Single ring A-U (in RNA) Replaces Thymine in
RNA
DNA Replication Enzymes — Know Each Function!
• DNA Polymerase (Pol delta): Reads template & creates new DNA strand; travels 5' to 3'; proofreads
& excises incorrect nucleotides
• DNA Ligase: Connects (glues) Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand together
• DNA Helicase: Unwinds & separates the double-stranded DNA; melts hydrogen bonds between
bases
• Primase: Creates short temporary RNA primers to initiate new DNA synthesis
, • Topoisomerase: Creates DNA breaks to relieve torsional stress ahead of the replication fork
• RNA Polymerase: Synthesizes RNA from DNA template
Phases of the Cell Cycle
Phase Key Events
G1 (Gap 1) Take on nutrients; generate energy; increase membrane size & cytoplasm
S (Synthesis) DNA replication occurs
G2 (Gap 2) Produce proteins important for cell division
M (Mitosis) Cell division: nuclear separation (nucleokinesis) + cytokinesis
Interphase G1 + S + G2; cell spends MOST of its life here; chromosomes double
Stages of Mitosis — In Order
Stage Key Events Memory Cue
Prophase Chromosomes become visible; condense & coil; nuclear membrane P = Prepare
disappears; spindle fibers begin to form (chromosomes appear)
Metaphase Chromosomes MOST condensed (best for clinical diagnosis); line up M = Middle (line up)
on equatorial plane; spindle fibers attach
Anaphase Centromeres split; sister chromatids pulled to opposite sides; 92 A = Apart (separate)
chromosomes total (46 each side)
Telophase New nuclear membranes form around each set of 46; spindle fibers T = Two nuclei (re-form)
disappear; chromosomes de-condense
Cytokinesis Cytoplasm divides; produces 2 identical daughter cells C = Cut (cytoplasm
splits)
Meiosis vs. Mitosis — Key Differences
• Mitosis: 1 diploid cell → 2 identical diploid daughter cells (46 chromosomes each); somatic cells
• Meiosis: 1 diploid cell → 4 haploid cells (23 chromosomes each); gametes (sperm & egg)
• Meiosis I = Reduction division: ONE diploid → TWO haploid cells (crossing over occurs in Prophase
I)
• Meiosis II = Equational division: Replicates each haploid cell → FOUR haploid cells total
• Crossing over (chiasmata): Occurs in Meiosis Prophase I; homologous chromosomes exchange
segments; creates genetic diversity
• Centromeres do NOT split in Meiosis Anaphase I (unlike mitosis) — homologs separate, not
chromatids
• Spermatogenesis: 1 diploid spermatogonium → FOUR haploid sperm (equal division)
• Oogenesis: 1 diploid oogonium → 1 egg + up to 3 polar bodies (UNEQUAL division; most cytoplasm
to egg)
Transcription & Translation
Process Location Template Product Direction Key Players
Transcription Nucleus DNA anti- mRNA RNA polymerase moves 3'- RNA Pol II,
sense strand (primary >5'; mRNA synthesized 5'- general &
transcript) >3' specific
transcription
ALREADY PASSED ANSWERS EDITION
Genetics & Fundamentals of Nursing | 2026-2027 Edition
STAR Complete Q&A Format | Correct Answers Marked | Full Rationale on Every Question
STAR
Genetics Disorders | Molecular Biology | Cell Cycle | Nursing Process | Vital Signs | Wound Care | Nutrition
,PART 1: GENETICS & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Types of genetic disorders | DNA structure | Cell cycle | Transcription & Translation | Meiosis & Mitosis
Types of Genetic Disorders
Type Mechanism Examples
Single Gene Mutation in one gene; follows Mendelian Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Disease,
inheritance Hemophilia
Chromosomal Abnormal chromosome number (aneuploidy) Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), Turner
or structure Syndrome
Mitochondrial Maternal inheritance; mitochondrial DNA; rare Energy metabolism disorders; passed via
ova
Multi-factorial Combination of genes + environment Spina bifida, Cleft lip, Heart disease,
Diabetes, Cancer
Key Genetics Terminology
Term Definition
Gene Unit of genetic information
Locus Precise position of a gene along a chromosome
Allele Alternative forms of a gene; found at same locus on homologous chromosome
Genotype Genetic constitution of an individual
Phenotype Physical/biochemical/physiological appearance; result of genotype + environment
interaction
Mutation Permanent change in nucleotide sequence; gamete mutation = inherited; somatic =
NOT inherited
Cytogenetics Branch of genetics studying chromosomes
Nucleotide Basic unit of DNA: nitrogenous base + pentose sugar + phosphate
Nucleoside Base + Sugar (no phosphate)
Nitrogenous Bases & DNA Structure
Bases Type Ring Pairs With H Bonds
Adenine (A) & Guanine Purines Double ring A-T / G-C A-T = 2 H bonds
(G)
Cytosine (C) & Thymine Pyrimidines Single ring C-G / T-A C-G = 3 H bonds
(T)
Uracil (U) — RNA only Pyrimidine Single ring A-U (in RNA) Replaces Thymine in
RNA
DNA Replication Enzymes — Know Each Function!
• DNA Polymerase (Pol delta): Reads template & creates new DNA strand; travels 5' to 3'; proofreads
& excises incorrect nucleotides
• DNA Ligase: Connects (glues) Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand together
• DNA Helicase: Unwinds & separates the double-stranded DNA; melts hydrogen bonds between
bases
• Primase: Creates short temporary RNA primers to initiate new DNA synthesis
, • Topoisomerase: Creates DNA breaks to relieve torsional stress ahead of the replication fork
• RNA Polymerase: Synthesizes RNA from DNA template
Phases of the Cell Cycle
Phase Key Events
G1 (Gap 1) Take on nutrients; generate energy; increase membrane size & cytoplasm
S (Synthesis) DNA replication occurs
G2 (Gap 2) Produce proteins important for cell division
M (Mitosis) Cell division: nuclear separation (nucleokinesis) + cytokinesis
Interphase G1 + S + G2; cell spends MOST of its life here; chromosomes double
Stages of Mitosis — In Order
Stage Key Events Memory Cue
Prophase Chromosomes become visible; condense & coil; nuclear membrane P = Prepare
disappears; spindle fibers begin to form (chromosomes appear)
Metaphase Chromosomes MOST condensed (best for clinical diagnosis); line up M = Middle (line up)
on equatorial plane; spindle fibers attach
Anaphase Centromeres split; sister chromatids pulled to opposite sides; 92 A = Apart (separate)
chromosomes total (46 each side)
Telophase New nuclear membranes form around each set of 46; spindle fibers T = Two nuclei (re-form)
disappear; chromosomes de-condense
Cytokinesis Cytoplasm divides; produces 2 identical daughter cells C = Cut (cytoplasm
splits)
Meiosis vs. Mitosis — Key Differences
• Mitosis: 1 diploid cell → 2 identical diploid daughter cells (46 chromosomes each); somatic cells
• Meiosis: 1 diploid cell → 4 haploid cells (23 chromosomes each); gametes (sperm & egg)
• Meiosis I = Reduction division: ONE diploid → TWO haploid cells (crossing over occurs in Prophase
I)
• Meiosis II = Equational division: Replicates each haploid cell → FOUR haploid cells total
• Crossing over (chiasmata): Occurs in Meiosis Prophase I; homologous chromosomes exchange
segments; creates genetic diversity
• Centromeres do NOT split in Meiosis Anaphase I (unlike mitosis) — homologs separate, not
chromatids
• Spermatogenesis: 1 diploid spermatogonium → FOUR haploid sperm (equal division)
• Oogenesis: 1 diploid oogonium → 1 egg + up to 3 polar bodies (UNEQUAL division; most cytoplasm
to egg)
Transcription & Translation
Process Location Template Product Direction Key Players
Transcription Nucleus DNA anti- mRNA RNA polymerase moves 3'- RNA Pol II,
sense strand (primary >5'; mRNA synthesized 5'- general &
transcript) >3' specific
transcription
