HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 Practice Test
1. Which of the following is always true about molecules?
- A. They cannot travel through all cell membranes
- B. They move from low concentration to high concentration without using energy
- C. They move from high concentration to low concentration without using energy
- D. They cannot move
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The statement that molecules move from high concentration to low concentration without using energy is always true due to the natural process of diffusion. This movement occurs to reach equilibrium and does not require any additional energy input directly from the molecule itself. Choice A is incorrect because not all molecules can travel through all cell membranes. Choice B is incorrect as molecules typically move from high concentration to low concentration in a process known as passive transport. Choice D is incorrect as molecules are in constant motion due to factors like temperature and kinetic energy.
2. 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.
3. The scientific name for a house cat is Felis catus. This indicates the house cat’s ___________ and ___________.
- A. kingdom; family
- B. order; subspecies
- C. phylum; class
- D. genus; species
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The scientific name for an organism consists of its genus and species. In this case, 'Felis' refers to the genus, while 'catus' refers to the species, thus indicating the house cat's genus and species as Felis catus. Therefore, the correct answer is 'D.' Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because a scientific name does not include information about the kingdom, family, order, subspecies, phylum, or class of an organism.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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