HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 2024
1. 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.
2. Beeswax is an example of what kind of molecule?
- A. Lipid
- B. Carbohydrate
- C. Protein
- D. Nucleic acid
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Beeswax is primarily composed of esters of long-chain aliphatic alcohols and fatty acids, making it a type of lipid. Lipids are a diverse group of molecules that are hydrophobic in nature and have important functions in energy storage, signaling, and forming cellular membranes. Beeswax's chemical composition and properties categorize it as a lipid rather than a carbohydrate, protein, or nucleic acid. Carbohydrates are composed of sugars, proteins are made up of amino acids, and nucleic acids consist of nucleotides; none of which match the chemical composition of beeswax.
3. 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.
4. Physical factors such as temperature and pH can alter enzyme activity because they have an effect on the enzyme's ___________.
- A. acidity
- B. shape
- C. chemistry
- D. substrate
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Physical factors such as temperature and pH can alter enzyme activity by affecting the enzyme's shape. Enzymes rely on their specific shapes to function properly and catalyze reactions. Any changes in temperature or pH can disrupt these shapes, causing the enzyme to become denatured and lose its functionality. Therefore, alterations in temperature and pH can impact enzyme activity by directly affecting their shapes. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because while pH can affect acidity and chemical properties of the enzyme, and temperature can influence the enzyme-substrate interaction, the primary reason for enzyme activity alteration due to temperature and pH is the change in the enzyme's shape.
5. In a strand of DNA, you would expect to see adenine paired with ___________.
- A. cytosine
- B. uracil
- C. thymine
- D. guanine
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In a strand of DNA, adenine always pairs with thymine through two hydrogen bonds. This pairing is a fundamental aspect of DNA structure, where adenine and thymine complement each other in the double helix. Choice A (cytosine) is incorrect because adenine does not pair with cytosine in DNA. Choice B (uracil) is incorrect as uracil is found in RNA, not DNA. Choice D (guanine) is incorrect as guanine pairs with cytosine, not adenine, in DNA.
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