HESI A2
HESI A2 Biology Practice Test 2024
1. What provides the cell with the ability to move and propel?
- A. Microfilaments
- B. Microtubules
- C. Flagella
- D. Cilia
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Microtubules are the cellular structures responsible for cell movement and propulsion. Microtubules are part of the cytoskeleton and play a crucial role in various cellular processes, including cell motility and intracellular transport. While microfilaments also contribute to cell movement by enabling muscle contraction and cell shape changes, they are not primarily responsible for propelling the cell. Flagella and cilia are cellular appendages involved in cell movement, but they are composed of microtubules, making them the structures that move due to the actions of microtubules.
2. What happens to messenger RNA when it reaches the cytoplasm?
- A. It attaches to a ribosome.
- B. It unzips, exposing nitrogen bases.
- C. It pairs with the DNA bases.
- D. It pulls free of the DNA strand.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm. When mRNA reaches the cytoplasm, it attaches to a ribosome. The ribosome functions as the site for protein synthesis through translation, where the genetic code carried by mRNA is read and translated into a specific sequence of amino acids. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because mRNA does not unzip, expose nitrogen bases, pair with DNA bases, or pull free of the DNA strand in the cytoplasm. The primary function of mRNA in the cytoplasm is to serve as a template for protein synthesis by binding to ribosomes.
3. The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in an organism is:
- A. product
- B. respiration
- C. metabolism
- D. synthesis
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions that occur within an organism to maintain life. It involves all the processes that break down molecules to release energy (catabolism) and build new molecules to support growth and maintenance (anabolism). Respiration refers specifically to the process of generating energy from the breakdown of glucose molecules. Synthesis is the creation of complex molecules from simpler ones. Therefore, metabolism is the most comprehensive term that encompasses all these processes within an organism.
4. When the genotype consists of a dominant and a recessive allele, the phenotype will be like the _ allele.
- A. Dominant
- B. Recessive
- C. Both
- D. Neither
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When the genotype consists of a dominant and a recessive allele, the phenotype will be like the dominant allele. This is because dominant alleles typically mask the expression of recessive alleles. Therefore, the dominant allele will be expressed in the phenotype in most basic cases. The recessive allele will only be expressed phenotypically if the individual is homozygous recessive. Choice B, 'Recessive,' is incorrect because the phenotype will not be like the recessive allele in this case. Choice C, 'Both,' is incorrect because in simple dominant-recessive inheritance, the dominant allele will overshadow the recessive allele. Choice D, 'Neither,' is incorrect as the phenotype will resemble the dominant allele.
5. Which of the following is an example of human error in an experiment?
- A. an imperfectly calibrated scale
- B. contaminating a sterile sample by breathing on it
- C. a draft in the laboratory slightly changing the temperature of a liquid
- D. failure to account for wind speed when measuring distance traveled
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Contaminating a sterile sample by breathing on it is an example of human error in an experiment because it involves an action directly caused by the researcher that compromises the integrity of the sample. Breathing on a sterile sample introduces external contaminants that can affect the results. Choices A, C, and D involve factors not directly under the researcher's control or are technical errors that do not involve direct human actions.
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