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 c

HESI A2

Biology HESI A2 2024

1. 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.

2. How many pairs of chromosomes do all humans have?

A. 24 pairs
B. 23 pairs
C. 22 pairs
D. 20 pairs

Correct answer: B

Rationale: All humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, totaling 46 chromosomes. Choice A is incorrect because humans do not have 24 pairs. Choice C is incorrect as humans have 23 pairs, not 22 pairs. Choice D is incorrect as humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, not 20 pairs.

3. Which is true of gametes?

A. They are diploid cells
B. They are haploid cells
C. They are somatic
D. A & C are true

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Gametes are sex cells (sperm and eggs) that are involved in sexual reproduction. They are haploid cells, meaning they have half the number of chromosomes (n) compared to diploid cells. This is necessary for the formation of a diploid zygote when two gametes unite during fertilization. Somatic cells are non-reproductive cells in the body, so they are not gametes. Choice A is incorrect because gametes are not diploid but haploid. Choice C is incorrect because gametes are not somatic cells.

4. Which of the following is true of heterozygous traits?

A. They are haploid
B. They are denoted AA
C. They are denoted aa
D. They are denoted Aa

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Heterozygous traits are denoted by having two different alleles for a particular gene, represented as Aa. This means that they are not haploid (A), not denoted AA (B), and not denoted aa (C). Therefore, the correct answer is D, as heterozygous traits are represented as Aa.

5. Which of the following is the structure of the male reproductive system that stores spermatozoa during the maturation process?

A. vas deferens
B. scrotum
C. epididymis
D. testicular artery

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The epididymis is the structure of the male reproductive system that stores spermatozoa during the maturation process. Sperm cells produced in the testes move to the epididymis, where they mature and become motile before being ejaculated. The vas deferens is responsible for transporting mature sperm to the urethra during ejaculation, the scrotum holds the testes and helps regulate their temperature for sperm production, and the testicular artery supplies blood to the testes. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not play a direct role in storing spermatozoa during the maturation process.