athletes are often concerned with the question of what they need in their diets to increase muscle mass and strength what biologic molecule would you

HESI A2

Biology HESI A2 Practice Test

1. Athletes are often concerned with the question of what they need in their diets to increase muscle mass and strength. What biologic molecule would you recommend that would accomplish this?

A. carbohydrates
B. proteins
C. lipids
D. nucleic acids

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Proteins are essential for building and repairing muscle tissue. They contain amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscles. Athletes looking to increase muscle mass and strength should focus on consuming adequate amounts of high-quality proteins in their diets. Carbohydrates provide energy for workouts, lipids are important for overall health but do not directly contribute to muscle building, and nucleic acids are involved in genetic activities rather than muscle growth.

2. Which of the following animals would have the least energy efficiency in nutrient consumption?

A. Cow
B. Caterpillar
C. Coyote
D. Cricket

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Cows are ruminant animals that have multiple stomachs and require large amounts of food to digest and convert into energy. They have lower energy efficiency compared to insects like caterpillars, coyotes, and crickets, which have more efficient nutrient consumption processes. The digestive system and metabolic functions of cows result in them having the least energy efficiency in nutrient consumption among the given choices. Caterpillars, coyotes, and crickets have more efficient nutrient consumption processes, making them more energy-efficient than cows.

3. RNA is made from DNA through a process called ___________.

A. transcription
B. synthesis
C. translation
D. replication

Correct answer: A

Rationale: RNA is made from DNA through a process called transcription. During transcription, an enzyme called RNA polymerase reads the DNA template and synthesizes a complementary RNA molecule. This process is essential for gene expression and allows the information encoded in DNA to be converted into functional RNA molecules. Choice B, 'synthesis,' is incorrect as it is a general term and does not specifically describe the process of RNA formation from DNA. Choice C, 'translation,' is incorrect as it refers to the process where the mRNA is used to assemble amino acids during protein synthesis, not the conversion of DNA to RNA. Choice D, 'replication,' is incorrect as it is the process of making an identical copy of DNA, not converting DNA into RNA.

4. If a hard-boiled egg is placed in a beaker of saltwater, what will happen to the egg?

A. Expand because water will move into the egg
B. Shrivel because water will leave the egg
C. Remain the same
D. None of the above

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. When a hard-boiled egg is placed in a beaker of saltwater, the egg will shrivel because water will leave the egg through osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of water from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration, in this case, from the egg into the saltwater. The higher concentration of solute in the saltwater causes water to move out of the egg, leading to the egg shrinking or shriveling. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the egg will not expand, remain the same, or have an outcome different from shriveling when placed in a beaker of saltwater.

5. What organelle pushes water out of the cell?

A. Lysosomes
B. Vacuoles (contractile)
C. Mitochondria
D. Nucleus

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Vacuoles (contractile). Vacuoles (contractile) are responsible for expelling excess water out of the cell. Lysosomes are involved in the digestion and removal of waste materials, mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell involved in energy production, and the nucleus contains the cell's genetic material but does not play a role in pushing water out of the cell.