which of the following is the best example of a hypothesis

HESI A2

HESI A2 Biology Practice Test

1. Which of the following is the best example of a hypothesis?

A. Dogs like treats
B. Red is the best color
C. If I eat 100 donuts, then I will feel sick
D. If a plant is exposed to red light, then it will show less growth than natural light

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Option D is the best example of a hypothesis because it presents a clear cause-and-effect relationship that can be tested through experimentation. It follows the format of 'If [cause], then [effect]' which is characteristic of a hypothesis in scientific research. The statement is specific, testable, and does not rely on personal opinions or biases, making it a strong and valid hypothesis. Choices A, B, and C do not follow the structure of a hypothesis as they lack the cause-and-effect relationship that can be tested through experimentation. They are more like statements or opinions rather than hypotheses.

2. What is the most important component of the cell, contributing to protection, communication, and the passage of substances?

A. Cytoplasm
B. Cell Membrane
C. Cytoskeleton
D. Vacuole

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The cell membrane is the correct answer. It is the most important component of the cell as it provides protection, facilitates communication, and regulates the passage of substances in and out of the cell. The cytoplasm (Choice A) is the gel-like substance within the cell that holds organelles, but it is not primarily responsible for the functions mentioned in the question. The cytoskeleton (Choice C) provides structural support to the cell but is not directly involved in protection, communication, or substance passage. Vacuoles (Choice D) are responsible for storage and maintaining turgor pressure but do not play a primary role in the functions specified in the question.

3. 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.

4. Tonicity refers to the movement of:

A. Water
B. Solute
C. Cells
D. None of the above

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Tonicity refers to the movement of water across a membrane in response to differences in solute concentration. In a hypertonic solution, where there is a higher concentration of solutes outside the cell, water will move out of the cell to try to reach equilibrium. In a hypotonic solution, where there is a lower concentration of solutes outside the cell, water will move into the cell to balance the concentrations. Cells and solutes themselves do not actively move in response to tonicity; it is the movement of water that helps achieve equilibrium. Therefore, the correct answer is water (Choice A). Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as tonicity specifically refers to water movement and not the movement of solutes, cells, or none of the above.

5. Anaerobic respiration happens in _ because _ .

A. Animals; they need energy
B. Plants; they use sunlight
C. Bacteria; they live in environments with low oxygen
D. None of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Anaerobic respiration happens in bacteria because they live in environments with low oxygen. Bacteria, unlike animals and plants, do not have easy access to oxygen for aerobic respiration and must find alternative ways to produce energy to survive. This makes anaerobic respiration essential for their metabolic processes. Choice A is incorrect because although animals need energy, they generally rely on aerobic respiration when oxygen is available. Choice B is incorrect because plants primarily perform photosynthesis using sunlight to produce energy. Choice D is incorrect as anaerobic respiration does occur in specific organisms like bacteria when oxygen is scarce.