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. When the genotype consists of a dominant and a recessive allele, the phenotype will be like the _ allele.
- A. Dominant
- B. Recessive
- C. Both
- D. Neither
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When the genotype consists of a dominant and a recessive allele, the phenotype will be like the dominant allele. This is because dominant alleles typically mask the expression of recessive alleles. Therefore, the dominant allele will be expressed in the phenotype in most basic cases. The recessive allele will only be expressed phenotypically if the individual is homozygous recessive. Choice B, 'Recessive,' is incorrect because the phenotype will not be like the recessive allele in this case. Choice C, 'Both,' is incorrect because in simple dominant-recessive inheritance, the dominant allele will overshadow the recessive allele. Choice D, 'Neither,' is incorrect as the phenotype will resemble the dominant allele.
3. What is the role of tRNA during protein synthesis?
- A. Carries amino acids to the ribosome
- B. Links nucleotides together
- C. Copies DNA sequences
- D. Replicates genetic material
Correct answer: A
Rationale: During protein synthesis, tRNA plays the crucial role of carrying amino acids to the ribosome. This process ensures that the correct amino acids are brought to the ribosome according to the mRNA sequence. Choice B, linking nucleotides together, refers to the role of RNA polymerase in transcription, not tRNA. Choice C, copying DNA sequences, is the function of DNA polymerase during DNA replication, while choice D, replicating genetic material, is an overarching function of DNA replication, not specific to tRNA's role in protein synthesis.
4. What happens to glucose during glycolysis?
- A. Its energy is entirely lost.
- B. It splits into molecules of pyruvic acid.
- C. It is stored in NADH.
- D. It joins with molecules of citric acid.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: During glycolysis, glucose undergoes a series of enzymatic reactions in the cytoplasm of the cell, resulting in its breakdown into two molecules of pyruvic acid. This process also generates ATP and NADH as energy carriers. Choice A is incorrect because glucose is not entirely lost, but rather converted into other molecules. Choice C is incorrect because NADH is a product of glycolysis, not a storage form for glucose. Choice D is incorrect as glucose does not join with molecules of citric acid during glycolysis, but rather in subsequent stages of cellular respiration.
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.
Similar Questions
Access More Features
HESI A2 Basic
$89/ 30 days
- 3,000 Questions with answers
- 30 days access
HESI A2 Premium
$129.99/ 90 days
- Actual HESI A2 Questions
- 3,000 questions with answers
- 90 days access