HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 Practice Exam
1. Which cellular structure is largely protective in function?
- A. Mitochondrion
- B. Vacuole
- C. Cell membrane
- D. Ribosome
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Cell membrane. The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is largely protective in function as it serves as a selectively permeable barrier that surrounds the cell, providing structural support and helping to maintain cell integrity. It regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell, thus protecting the cell from harmful external factors while allowing essential nutrients to enter. Mitochondrion (choice A) is responsible for energy production, not primarily protective. Vacuole (choice B) is mainly involved in storage and transport. Ribosome (choice D) is involved in protein synthesis, not protective functions.
2. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a recessive sex-linked trait carried on the X chromosome. In an example of an unaffected father and a female carrier who have two daughters and two sons, which is the predicted outcome?
- A. Both daughters will carry the disease.
- B. Both sons will carry the disease.
- C. One daughter may have the disease.
- D. One son may have the disease.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a recessive sex-linked trait carried on the X chromosome. Since the father is unaffected and does not carry the disease, he must have a normal X chromosome. The mother is a carrier, which means she has one normal X chromosome and one X chromosome with the disease allele. The daughters will inherit one X chromosome from each parent; one would be normal, and the other has a chance of carrying the disease allele. So, there is a 50% chance that one daughter may have the disease, as she could inherit the X chromosome with the disease allele. The sons will inherit the Y chromosome from the father and the X chromosome from the mother, so they will not be affected by the disease. Therefore, the predicted outcome is that one daughter may have the disease, while the sons will not carry the disease. This rules out choices A, B, and D.
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. Which of the following are found both in open and closed circulatory systems?
- A. Arteries
- B. Red blood cells
- C. Capillaries
- D. Immune cells
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, Capillaries. Capillaries are found in both open and closed circulatory systems. Capillaries are small blood vessels that connect arteries and veins, allowing for the exchange of nutrients and wastes between the blood and tissues. They are essential components of circulatory systems regardless of whether they are open or closed. Arteries (Choice A) are not found in open circulatory systems, as these systems lack distinct arteries and veins. Red blood cells (Choice B) are present in the blood but are not exclusive to either open or closed circulatory systems. Immune cells (Choice D) are not specific components of circulatory systems, as they are part of the immune system.
5. Humans, or Homo sapiens, are part of the family ___________.
- A. Animalia
- B. Hominidae
- C. Mammalia
- D. Chordata
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Humans, or Homo sapiens, are part of the family Hominidae, which includes great apes such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans. This family belongs to the order Primates within the class Mammalia. Choice A (Animalia) refers to the animal kingdom, not the family of humans. Choice C (Mammalia) is the class to which the family Hominidae belongs, not the family itself. Choice D (Chordata) is the phylum to which humans and other animals with a notochord belong, not the specific family.
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