HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 Practice Test
1. Which of the following describes the situation where one allele takes a different form from another in a gene?
- A. phenotype
- B. heterozygous
- C. homolog
- D. homozygous
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Heterozygous is the term used to describe the genotype of an individual with two different alleles for a specific gene. In this case, one allele takes a different form from another, resulting in genetic diversity and variation in trait expression. The other choices are incorrect: 'phenotype' refers to the observable traits of an organism, 'homolog' typically refers to chromosomes that are similar in structure, and 'homozygous' describes the genotype where both alleles for a gene are the same.
2. Which cell organelle functions to transport materials from the endoplasmic reticulum throughout the cell?
- A. Ribosome
- B. Golgi apparatus
- C. Lysosome
- D. Vacuole
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The Golgi apparatus is the correct answer because it functions to transport materials from the endoplasmic reticulum throughout the cell. Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, not transportation of materials. Lysosomes contain enzymes for digestion and waste removal, not for transporting materials. Vacuoles are primarily involved in storage, waste disposal, and maintaining turgor pressure, not in transporting materials from the endoplasmic reticulum.
3. Which of the following are considered the most important molecules in biology?
- A. Carbohydrates, lipids, protein, and nucleic acids
- B. Carbohydrates, lipids, protein, and calcium
- C. Carbohydrates, lipids, protein, and sulfur
- D. Carbohydrates, lipids, protein, and iron
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Carbohydrates, lipids, protein, and nucleic acids are considered the most important molecules in biology. Carbohydrates are essential for providing energy, lipids for storing energy and forming cell membranes, proteins for various structural and functional roles, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) for storing genetic information. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because while carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are crucial biomolecules, calcium, sulfur, and iron are not considered among the most important molecules in biology.
4. Which of the following structures is not directly involved in translation?
- A. tRNA
- B. mRNA
- C. ribosome
- D. DNA
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is 'D: DNA.' DNA is not directly involved in translation, which is the process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA. tRNA carries amino acids to the ribosome, mRNA provides the template for protein synthesis, and ribosomes are the cellular machinery where translation occurs. DNA's main role is in transcription, where it serves as the template for mRNA synthesis, not in translation.
5. A cell is in a solution in which the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell than outside the cell. What would you expect to happen to the cell?
- A. It will swell and possibly burst.
- B. It will shrivel and shrink.
- C. It will maintain its current size.
- D. It will grow a supportive cell wall.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When a cell is in a solution where the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell than outside, it is in a hypertonic environment. In this situation, water will move into the cell in an attempt to equalize the concentration of solutes on both sides of the cell membrane through the process of osmosis. As a result, the cell will swell as it takes in more water, potentially leading to bursting or cell lysis. Choice B is incorrect because a cell in a hypertonic solution will not shrivel and shrink due to water moving into the cell. Choice C is incorrect because the cell will not maintain its current size; it will swell. Choice D is incorrect because growing a supportive cell wall is not the immediate response to being in a hypertonic environment.
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