why can animal cells use a contractile ring but plant cells cannot

HESI A2

HESI A2 Biology Practice Test

1. Why can animal cells use a contractile ring but plant cells cannot?

A. Plant cells can use both methods to divide
B. Animal cells divide faster, requiring them to pinch apart
C. Plant cells are too rigid to use a contractile ring
D. N/A

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Plant cells have a rigid cell wall surrounding them, which prevents them from using a contractile ring for cell division. The rigid cell wall requires plant cells to form a cell plate during cell division instead of pinching apart like animal cells with a contractile ring. Choice A is incorrect because plant cells cannot use a contractile ring due to their rigid cell wall. Choice B is incorrect as the speed of cell division is not the primary reason for the difference in cell division mechanisms between plant and animal cells. Choice D is not applicable as plant cells indeed have a specific limitation in using a contractile ring for cell division.

2. What process do cells in the tip of a plant’s root undergo to increase in number?

A. Meiosis
B. Cytokinesis
C. Fractioning
D. Mitosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Cells in the tip of a plant's root undergo the process of mitosis to increase in number. Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. This process allows for growth and maintenance of tissues in plants by producing new cells through division. Choice A, Meiosis, is incorrect as meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in cells to produce gametes. Choice B, Cytokinesis, is incorrect as it is the division of the cytoplasm following cell division. Choice C, Fractioning, is not a biological process related to cell division.

3. What type of cell is an animal cell?

A. Prokaryotic
B. Eukaryotic
C. Plant Cell
D. Bacterial Cell

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, eukaryotic. Animal cells are classified as eukaryotic cells because they contain membrane-bound organelles such as the nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum. Choice A, prokaryotic, is incorrect as prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles. Choice C, Plant Cell, is incorrect as the question specifically asks about animal cells. Choice D, Bacterial Cell, is incorrect as bacteria are prokaryotic cells.

4. 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.

5. Which is a byproduct of fermentation in muscle cells?

A. Ethanol
B. Pyruvic acid
C. Lactic acid
D. Oxygen

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Lactic acid is a byproduct of fermentation in muscle cells. During intense exercise or when oxygen is limited, muscle cells use anaerobic respiration to generate energy. This process breaks down glucose into lactic acid, which can cause muscle fatigue and soreness. Choice A, Ethanol, is not produced in muscle cells during fermentation. Choice B, Pyruvic acid, is an intermediate product in glucose metabolism but is not a byproduct of fermentation in muscle cells. Choice D, Oxygen, is not a byproduct of fermentation but a reactant in aerobic respiration.