at the beginning of meiosis how many chromosomes does the diploid parent cell have

HESI RN

Biology Test

1. At the beginning of meiosis, how many chromosomes does the diploid parent cell have?

A. 23
B. 24
C. 46
D. 54

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 46. At the start of meiosis, the diploid parent cell contains 46 chromosomes. During meiosis, the number of chromosomes is halved, resulting in each gamete having 23 chromosomes. Choice A (23) is incorrect because that is the number of chromosomes in a human gamete, not the parent cell. Choice B (24) and Choice D (54) are also incorrect as they do not reflect the correct number of chromosomes in a diploid parent cell at the beginning of meiosis.

2. The bilayer of the cellular membrane consists of phospholipids with all except which of the following scattered throughout?

A. Nucleic acids
B. Cholesterol
C. Proteins
D. Glycoproteins

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The cellular membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer with cholesterol, proteins, and glycoproteins distributed throughout. Nucleic acids are not found within the cellular membrane. Cholesterol helps maintain membrane fluidity, while proteins and glycoproteins play important roles in cell signaling, transport, and structural support.

3. What is the most important function of carbohydrates?

A. Store and provide energy for the body
B. Create amino acids
C. Maintain body temperature
D. Insulate body organs against shock

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most important function of carbohydrates is to store and provide energy for the body through metabolic processes. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is used as the primary source of energy for various cellular functions. Choice B is incorrect because amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, not directly created by carbohydrates. Choice C is incorrect as the regulation of body temperature is primarily controlled by mechanisms such as sweating and shivering, not carbohydrates. Choice D is incorrect as insulation of body organs against shock is mainly provided by adipose tissue, not carbohydrates.

4. What is the main objective of the translation stage of protein synthesis?

A. To produce amino acids
B. To produce nucleotides
C. To produce fatty acids
D. To produce proteins

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The main objective of the translation stage of protein synthesis is to produce proteins. During translation, ribosomes decode mRNA sequences to synthesize proteins by linking amino acids together. Choice A, 'To produce amino acids,' is incorrect as amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are not produced during translation. Choices B and C, 'To produce nucleotides' and 'To produce fatty acids,' are also incorrect as these molecules are not the direct products of the translation stage of protein synthesis.

5. What cell structure is responsible for efficiently packaging DNA into a small volume to fit into the nucleus of a cell and protect the DNA structure and sequence?

A. Golgi apparatus
B. Chromatin
C. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
D. Mitochondria

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Chromatin is the correct answer. Chromatin is responsible for packaging DNA into a more compact, dense structure to fit into the nucleus and protect the DNA. The Golgi apparatus is involved in processing and packaging proteins, not DNA. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is involved in lipid metabolism and detoxification. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell responsible for energy production, not DNA packaging.