HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 Practice Exam
1. Which cells in the human body lack nuclei?
- A. Nerve cells
- B. Red blood cells
- C. Liver cells
- D. Connective tissue cells
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, lack nuclei in humans. This absence of a nucleus allows more space for hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen, making red blood cells efficient at their function of oxygen transport in the body. Nerve cells (Choice A), liver cells (Choice C), and connective tissue cells (Choice D) all possess nuclei as they require genetic material for their functions, such as cell signaling, protein synthesis, and structural support.
2. 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.
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 is not a step in the water cycle?
- A. Condensation
- B. Transpiration
- C. Nitrification
- D. Absorption
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Nitrification is a biological process in the nitrogen cycle where ammonia is converted into nitrites and then nitrates by bacteria. It is not a step in the water cycle. The water cycle involves processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and transpiration that are related to the movement and transformation of water in the environment. Choices A, B, and D are all part of the water cycle: condensation is the process where water vapor turns into liquid water, transpiration is the release of water vapor by plants, and absorption refers to the process of water being taken in by soil or other materials.
5. Which organism reproduces via spore formation?
- A. Shelf fungus
- B. Lemon tree
- C. Smallmouth bass
- D. Staphylococcus
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Shelf fungus. Shelf fungus reproduces via spore formation. Spores are tiny, reproductive cells that are released into the environment to be carried by air or water, allowing the fungus to spread and reproduce. The other choices are incorrect because Lemon tree reproduces via seeds, Smallmouth bass reproduce sexually through the fertilization of eggs by sperm, and Staphylococcus bacteria reproduce by binary fission, dividing into two identical daughter cells.
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