HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 Practice Test
1. Which system maintains the body's balance through the release of hormones directly into the bloodstream?
- A. The gastrointestinal system
- B. The endocrine system
- C. The digestive system
- D. The endocrine system
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: The endocrine system. The endocrine system maintains the body's balance through the release of hormones directly into the bloodstream. Hormones produced by glands in the endocrine system regulate various bodily functions such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction. This system plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis by releasing hormones that help control and coordinate different processes in the body. Choices A, C, and B are incorrect. The gastrointestinal system is responsible for digestion, absorption of nutrients, and excretion of waste; the digestive system includes the gastrointestinal system and other accessory organs; and choice B is a duplicate of the correct answer.
2. What is the role of tRNA during protein synthesis?
- A. Carries amino acids to the ribosome
- B. Links nucleotides together
- C. Copies DNA sequences
- D. Replicates genetic material
Correct answer: A
Rationale: During protein synthesis, tRNA plays the crucial role of carrying amino acids to the ribosome. This process ensures that the correct amino acids are brought to the ribosome according to the mRNA sequence. Choice B, linking nucleotides together, refers to the role of RNA polymerase in transcription, not tRNA. Choice C, copying DNA sequences, is the function of DNA polymerase during DNA replication, while choice D, replicating genetic material, is an overarching function of DNA replication, not specific to tRNA's role in protein synthesis.
3. Which of the following bases is not present in RNA?
- A. Adenine
- B. Thymine
- C. Uracil
- D. Cytosine
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Thymine is not present in RNA. RNA uses uracil as one of its bases, which pairs with adenine. In RNA, adenine does not pair with thymine as in DNA. Cytosine and guanine are the other two bases found in both RNA and DNA.
4. Which cellular structure is largely protective in function?
- A. Mitochondrion
- B. Vacuole
- C. Cell membrane
- D. Ribosome
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Cell membrane. The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is largely protective in function as it serves as a selectively permeable barrier that surrounds the cell, providing structural support and helping to maintain cell integrity. It regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell, thus protecting the cell from harmful external factors while allowing essential nutrients to enter. Mitochondrion (choice A) is responsible for energy production, not primarily protective. Vacuole (choice B) is mainly involved in storage and transport. Ribosome (choice D) is involved in protein synthesis, not protective functions.
5. Why do high-salt content foods not require refrigeration to prevent spoilage?
- A. Osmosis
- B. Diffusion
- C. Active transport
- D. Passive transport
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Osmosis is the natural process that prevents high-salt content foods from spoiling without the need for refrigeration. Osmosis involves the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration (water) to an area of higher solute concentration (salt). In high-salt content foods, the salt acts as a preservative by drawing moisture out of bacteria or other microorganisms, making it difficult for them to survive and spoil the food. This process helps in preserving the food and preventing spoilage even without refrigeration. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not involve the specific mechanism of water movement in response to the salt concentration in high-salt content foods.
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