which is an example of a gymnosperm

HESI A2

HESI A2 Biology 2024

1. Which is an example of a gymnosperm?

A. Red cedar
B. Japanese cherry
C. Flowering dogwood
D. American chestnut

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Red cedar is the correct answer as it is an example of a gymnosperm. Gymnosperms are plants that produce seeds not enclosed within an ovary or fruit. In the case of red cedar, it belongs to the gymnosperm group and has naked seeds that are exposed on the surface of scales or leaves. Choices B, C, and D are angiosperms, not gymnosperms. Japanese cherry, flowering dogwood, and American chestnut are all examples of angiosperms, which are flowering plants with seeds enclosed within an ovary.

2. How many chromosomes do sperm and egg produce in meiosis?

A. 46
B. 23
C. 45
D. 24

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Sperm and egg cells undergo meiosis to form gametes with half the number of chromosomes found in somatic cells. Each sperm and egg cell produces 23 chromosomes through meiosis. Choice A is incorrect because 46 chromosomes represent the diploid number found in somatic cells. Choice C is incorrect as it is an uncommon number for chromosome production in human gametes. Choice D is incorrect as the total number of chromosomes in sperm or egg cells is 23, not 24.

3. What is the second part of an organism’s scientific name?

A. species
B. phylum
C. population
D. kingdom

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'species.' In binomial nomenclature, the second part of an organism's scientific name represents its species. The species name is a unique identifier within the genus and helps differentiate between different organisms within the same genus. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Phylum is a taxonomic rank higher than species, population refers to a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area, and kingdom is a taxonomic rank higher than genus.

4. Which of the following shows how information is transformed to make a protein?

A. DNA-RNA-protein
B. gene-chromosome-protein
C. ATP-amino acid-protein
D. RNA-DNA-protein

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct sequence of events for protein synthesis is that DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into a protein. This process is known as the central dogma of molecular biology. In this sequence, DNA serves as the template for RNA synthesis (transcription), and the RNA serves as the template for protein synthesis (translation). Choice B is incorrect as genes are segments of DNA that code for proteins, and chromosomes are structures that contain DNA. Choice C is incorrect as ATP is an energy molecule and amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, but they are not directly involved in the synthesis process. Choice D is incorrect because RNA is first transcribed from DNA and then used as a template to produce proteins.

5. How should a researcher test the hypothesis that a particular species of bird vocalizes most in the hours around dawn?

A. Observe a flock of the birds in captivity and record them at two-hour intervals from predawn until sunset for a month.
B. Observe a flock of the birds in the wild and record them at one-hour intervals from predawn until sunset in several seasons.
C. Observe a flock of the birds in the wild and record them in predawn and postdawn hours every day for six months.
D. Observe a flock of the birds in the wild, record them at one-hour intervals for a month, and compare that recording to recordings of other species.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Observing a flock of the birds in the wild and recording them in predawn and postdawn hours every day for six months would be the best way to test the hypothesis that a particular species of bird vocalizes most in the hours around dawn. This method allows for consistent monitoring of the birds during specific times of interest over an extended period, providing a comprehensive dataset to accurately analyze the vocalization patterns. Options A and B do not focus specifically on dawn hours, making them less suitable for testing the hypothesis. Option D introduces a comparison with other species, which is unnecessary and distracts from the main objective of studying the vocalization pattern of the particular bird species around dawn.