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. Which, if any, of the following statements about the biosphere is correct?

A. The biosphere is the part of the Earth that supports life.
B. The biosphere encompasses the entire surface of the Earth.
C. A and B are correct.
D. None of these statements is correct.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Statement A is correct. The biosphere refers to the part of the Earth where life exists, including the land, water bodies, and atmosphere. It is the zone where living organisms and ecosystems exist. Statement B is incorrect because the biosphere covers various ecosystems on Earth but does not encompass the entire surface of the planet. The biosphere includes regions such as the lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water bodies), and atmosphere, but not every part of the Earth's surface. Therefore, option C, stating both A and B are correct, is inaccurate. The correct answer is option A, as it accurately defines the biosphere.

3. 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.

4. Which component is not found in the nucleotide of DNA?

A. Simple sugar
B. Nitrogen base
C. Phosphate group
D. Citric acid

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Citric acid is not found in the nucleotide of DNA. A DNA nucleotide is composed of a simple sugar (deoxyribose), a nitrogen base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine), and a phosphate group. Citric acid is not part of DNA nucleotides; instead, it is involved in the citric acid cycle of cellular respiration. Choices A, B, and C are essential components of DNA nucleotides, making them incorrect answers.

5. Select the option that best shows complementary base pairing in DNA:

A. A and G
B. A and C
C. A and A
D. A and T

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. A purine (A) must pair with a pyrimidine (T) in DNA. This eliminates options A and C as they do not follow the rule of complementary base pairing. Adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T) due to their specific shape and bonding properties in DNA structure. Choice B is incorrect because adenine does not pair with cytosine in DNA.