HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 Practice Test
1. Which two bases are purines?
- A. Adenine (A)
- B. Cytosine (C)
- C. Thymine (T)
- D. Guanine (G)
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Adenine (A) and guanine (G) are the two bases that are purines. Purines are characterized by a double-ring structure containing two carbon rings, distinguishing them from pyrimidines. Adenine and guanine are purines because they possess this unique double-ring structure. Therefore, choices A and D, adenine and guanine, respectively, are the correct answers. Choices B and C, cytosine and thymine, are pyrimidines and do not exhibit the double-ring structure characteristic of purines.
2. What happens during the S phase of the cell cycle?
- A. Chromosomes are duplicated.
- B. Cell growth occurs.
- C. DNA is synthesized.
- D. DNA is destroyed.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: During the S phase of the cell cycle, chromosomes are duplicated. This is a critical step in cell division as each chromosome is replicated to ensure that the resulting daughter cells receive an identical set of genetic information. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because cell growth primarily occurs in the G1 phase, DNA synthesis happens during the S phase, and DNA destruction does not occur during any phase of the cell cycle.
3. Where can epithelial tissue be found?
- A. Organ lining
- B. Heart muscle
- C. Tendons
- D. Spinal cord
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Epithelial tissue is primarily found lining the surfaces of organs, such as the skin and the linings of various internal organs like the digestive tract, respiratory tract, and blood vessels. It serves as a protective barrier and helps with absorption and secretion. Heart muscle is made up of cardiac muscle tissue, tendons are primarily composed of dense connective tissue, and the spinal cord is composed of nervous tissue, none of which are classified as epithelial tissue.
4. What is the term for the movement of ions and other molecular substances across cell membranes without the need for energy?
- A. Active Transport
- B. Passive Transport
- C. Diffusion
- D. Osmosis
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Passive transport refers to the movement of substances across cell membranes without the need for energy input. In contrast, active transport, choice A, requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient. Diffusion, choice C, is a type of passive transport where substances move from an area of high concentration to low concentration. Osmosis, choice D, specifically refers to the movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane.
5. Which structure might be described as a core of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat?
- A. RNA
- B. Virus
- C. Blue-green alga
- D. Saprophyte
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A virus can be described as a core of nucleic acid (either RNA or DNA) surrounded by a protein coat, known as a capsid. This structure distinguishes viruses from other microorganisms such as blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria), fungi known as saprophytes, or individual RNA molecules. Viruses depend on a host cell to replicate and are considered non-living entities due to their inability to carry out metabolic functions independently.
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