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. What are the three types of muscle tissue?

A. Cardiac, spinal, stomach
B. Smooth, skeletal, cardiac
C. Neuron, epithelial, collagen
D. None of the above

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Smooth, skeletal, cardiac. Smooth muscle is found in organs like the stomach and is involuntarily controlled. Skeletal muscle is found in voluntary muscles, like the bicep or quadriceps. Cardiac muscle is found only in the heart walls and works involuntarily to make the heart beat and pump blood. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not represent the three types of muscle tissue.

3. Which gives the order of four taxonomic categories from least to most specific?

A. Kingdom, phylum, class, order
B. Kingdom, phylum, order, class
C. Kingdom, order, phylum, class
D. Kingdom, class, order, phylum

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct order of the four taxonomic categories from least to most specific is Kingdom, phylum, class, and order. This sequence adheres to the hierarchical system of classification where organisms are grouped based on shared characteristics, becoming more specific as you move from Kingdom to order. Choice B is incorrect as the order of 'order' and 'class' is swapped. Choice C is incorrect as 'order' precedes 'phylum' instead of following it. Choice D is incorrect as 'class' should come before 'order'.

4. 72 chromosomes undergo meiosis. How many chromosomes will be in each gamete?

A. 18
B. 36
C. 72
D. 144

Correct answer: A

Rationale: During meiosis, the number of chromosomes is halved in each gamete. Since 72 chromosomes undergo meiosis, each gamete will contain half of that number, which is 36 chromosomes. Therefore, the correct answer is 18 chromosomes in each gamete. Choice B (36 chromosomes) is incorrect because it represents the total number of chromosomes that undergo meiosis, not the number in each gamete. Choice C (72 chromosomes) is incorrect as it represents the initial number of chromosomes, not the number in each gamete after meiosis. Choice D (144 chromosomes) is incorrect as it doubles the initial number of chromosomes, which is not the outcome of meiosis.

5. Why do high-salt content foods not require refrigeration to prevent spoilage?

A. Osmosis
B. Diffusion
C. Active transport
D. Passive transport

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Osmosis is the natural process that prevents high-salt content foods from spoiling without the need for refrigeration. Osmosis involves the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration (water) to an area of higher solute concentration (salt). In high-salt content foods, the salt acts as a preservative by drawing moisture out of bacteria or other microorganisms, making it difficult for them to survive and spoil the food. This process helps in preserving the food and preventing spoilage even without refrigeration. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not involve the specific mechanism of water movement in response to the salt concentration in high-salt content foods.