HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 2024
1. Imagine that two parents both carry the recessive gene for cystic fibrosis. Any homozygous recessive offspring will manifest the disease. What percentage of the offspring is predicted to be carriers but not manifest the disease?
- A. 0%
- B. 25%
- C. 50%
- D. 100%
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When both parents carry the recessive gene for cystic fibrosis (homozygous recessive), there is a 25% chance for each offspring to inherit two recessive alleles and, therefore, manifest the disease. There is also a 50% chance for each offspring to inherit one recessive allele and one dominant allele, making them carriers of the disease but not manifest it. Therefore, 25% of the offspring are predicted to be carriers but not manifest the disease. Choice A (0%) is incorrect because there is a portion of offspring that will be carriers. Choice C (50%) is incorrect as this percentage corresponds to carriers who will not manifest the disease. Choice D (100%) is incorrect as not all offspring will be carriers and not manifest the disease.
2. What is represented by this formula: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂?
- A. Glycolysis
- B. Cellular respiration
- C. Photosynthesis
- D. Electronic transport
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The formula represents the process of photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) are converted into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂) using light energy. This process is essential for plants and some microorganisms to produce food and oxygen. Glycolysis and cellular respiration involve breaking down glucose to produce energy, and the electron transport chain is part of cellular respiration, not photosynthesis.
3. A cell is in a solution in which the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell than outside the cell. What would you expect to happen to the cell?
- A. It will swell and possibly burst.
- B. It will shrivel and shrink.
- C. It will maintain its current size.
- D. It will grow a supportive cell wall.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When a cell is in a solution where the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell than outside, it is in a hypertonic environment. In this situation, water will move into the cell in an attempt to equalize the concentration of solutes on both sides of the cell membrane through the process of osmosis. As a result, the cell will swell as it takes in more water, potentially leading to bursting or cell lysis. Choice B is incorrect because a cell in a hypertonic solution will not shrivel and shrink due to water moving into the cell. Choice C is incorrect because the cell will not maintain its current size; it will swell. Choice D is incorrect because growing a supportive cell wall is not the immediate response to being in a hypertonic environment.
4. Which part of a plant’s reproductive system is of a different “gender” than the others?
- A. Stamen
- B. Pistil
- C. Stigma
- D. Style
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The stamen is the male reproductive organ of a plant, producing pollen grains. The pistil, consisting of the stigma, style, and ovary, is the female reproductive organ. Therefore, the stamen is of a different 'gender' than the other parts of the plant's reproductive system. The pistil, stigma, and style are all part of the female reproductive system, involved in receiving pollen and supporting fertilization. Stamen is the correct answer as it is the male part of a plant's reproductive system, making it different 'gender-wise' from the female parts.
5. What takes place in a lysosome?
- A. Ribosomes are made.
- B. Food is produced.
- C. Water is stored.
- D. Food is digested.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In a lysosome, food particles are digested through the action of enzymes. Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles containing digestive enzymes that break down large molecules into smaller ones, allowing the cell to utilize the nutrients for energy and other processes. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because ribosomes are not made in lysosomes, food is not produced in lysosomes, and lysosomes do not store water.
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