HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 2024
1. What is the purpose of phloem tissue in plant stems?
- A. It conducts water up through the stem.
- B. It conducts the energy of light to leaves.
- C. It conducts food throughout the plant.
- D. It conducts carbon dioxide throughout the plant.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The purpose of phloem tissue in plant stems is to conduct food, particularly sugars produced in the leaves during photosynthesis, throughout the plant. The phloem transports these organic compounds to various parts of the plant where they are needed for growth and energy. Choice A is incorrect because water is primarily transported by xylem tissue, not phloem. Choice B is incorrect as the energy of light is captured by chlorophyll in the process of photosynthesis, not conducted by phloem. Choice D is incorrect because carbon dioxide is mainly absorbed through the leaves and transported to other parts of the plant through diffusion, not by phloem.
2. Which organism reproduces via binary fission?
- A. Mushroom
- B. Blue whale
- C. Rainbow trout
- D. Salmonella
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Salmonella. Salmonella bacterium reproduces via binary fission, a form of asexual reproduction where the cell divides into two daughter cells with identical genetic material. This process is common among bacteria and single-celled organisms. Mushrooms reproduce through spores, blue whales and rainbow trout reproduce sexually, involving the fusion of male and female gametes. Therefore, choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not reproduce through binary fission.
3. 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.
4. Why are bacteria and blue-green algae often classified together?
- A. Both are gymnosperms.
- B. Both are prokaryotes.
- C. Both are autotrophs.
- D. Both are pathogens.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Bacteria and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are often classified together because they are both prokaryotes. Prokaryotes are unicellular organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. This characteristic distinguishes them from eukaryotic organisms, which have these membrane-bound structures. Choice A is incorrect because gymnosperms are seed-producing plants with naked seeds, not bacteria or blue-green algae. Choice C is incorrect because being an autotroph (able to produce its own food) is not a reason for classifying them together. Choice D is incorrect because not all bacteria and blue-green algae are pathogens; many of them are beneficial or neutral to other organisms.
5. Why is yeast used to make bread rise?
- A. It engages in photosynthesis, which produces oxygen gas.
- B. Carbon dioxide forms while yeast carries out photosynthesis.
- C. Yeast carries out fermentation, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide.
- D. Yeast breathes in oxygen and produces carbon dioxide through aerobic respiration.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Yeast is used to make bread rise because it carries out fermentation, producing carbon dioxide gas. The carbon dioxide gas gets trapped in the dough, causing it to rise and create a fluffy texture in the bread. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because yeast does not engage in photosynthesis, so it does not produce oxygen gas, does not carry out photosynthesis to form carbon dioxide, and does not produce carbon dioxide through aerobic respiration. Yeast's fermentation process is essential for bread rising.
Similar Questions
Access More Features
HESI A2 Basic
$49/ 30 days
- 3,000 Questions with answers
- 30 days access @ $49
HESI A2 Premium
$99/ 90 days
- Actual HESI A 2 Questions
- 3,000 questions with answers
- 90 days access @ $99