HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 2024
1. How should a researcher test the hypothesis that eating chocolate leads to acne in teenagers?
- A. Take 100 teenagers and feed each one a different amount of chocolate daily for 60 days; then test for acne.
- B. Take 100 teenagers and feed 50 two bars of chocolate daily for 60 days while the other 50 eat no chocolate; then test for acne.
- C. Take 1 teenager and feed him or her two bars of chocolate for 30 days and no chocolate for 30 days; then test for acne.
- D. Take 100 teenagers and feed them no chocolate for 30 days and two bars of chocolate apiece for 30 days; then test for acne.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Option B is the correct approach to test the hypothesis that eating chocolate leads to acne in teenagers. This method involves having a control group (50 teenagers not consuming chocolate) and an experimental group (50 teenagers consuming two bars of chocolate daily), which allows for comparison. By having two distinct groups, researchers can assess the impact of chocolate consumption on acne development. Option A lacks a control group for comparison, making it harder to attribute any observed effects specifically to chocolate consumption. Option C only involves a single subject, which limits the generalizability of the results. Option D, where all teenagers experience both conditions, does not allow for a direct comparison between chocolate consumption and acne development, as all subjects are exposed to both conditions.
2. 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.
3. Physical factors such as temperature and pH can alter enzyme activity because they have an effect on the enzyme's ___________.
- A. acidity
- B. shape
- C. chemistry
- D. substrate
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Physical factors such as temperature and pH can alter enzyme activity by affecting the enzyme's shape. Enzymes rely on their specific shapes to function properly and catalyze reactions. Any changes in temperature or pH can disrupt these shapes, causing the enzyme to become denatured and lose its functionality. Therefore, alterations in temperature and pH can impact enzyme activity by directly affecting their shapes. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because while pH can affect acidity and chemical properties of the enzyme, and temperature can influence the enzyme-substrate interaction, the primary reason for enzyme activity alteration due to temperature and pH is the change in the enzyme's shape.
4. In a strand of DNA, you would expect to see adenine paired with ___________.
- A. cytosine
- B. uracil
- C. thymine
- D. guanine
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In a strand of DNA, adenine always pairs with thymine through two hydrogen bonds. This pairing is a fundamental aspect of DNA structure, where adenine and thymine complement each other in the double helix. Choice A (cytosine) is incorrect because adenine does not pair with cytosine in DNA. Choice B (uracil) is incorrect as uracil is found in RNA, not DNA. Choice D (guanine) is incorrect as guanine pairs with cytosine, not adenine, in DNA.
5. What is the purpose of phloem tissue in plant stems?
- A. It conducts water up through the stem.
- B. It conducts the energy of light to leaves.
- C. It conducts food throughout the plant.
- D. It conducts carbon dioxide throughout the plant.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The purpose of phloem tissue in plant stems is to conduct food, particularly sugars produced in the leaves during photosynthesis, throughout the plant. The phloem transports these organic compounds to various parts of the plant where they are needed for growth and energy. Choice A is incorrect because water is primarily transported by xylem tissue, not phloem. Choice B is incorrect as the energy of light is captured by chlorophyll in the process of photosynthesis, not conducted by phloem. Choice D is incorrect because carbon dioxide is mainly absorbed through the leaves and transported to other parts of the plant through diffusion, not by phloem.
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