HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 Practice Exam
1. 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.
2. Three students measured the mass of a product of combustion. They recorded measurements of 14 g, 16 g, and 17 g. If the known mass of the product is 30 g, how would you describe the students’ measurements?
- A. Accurate
- B. Precise
- C. Both accurate and precise
- D. Neither accurate nor precise
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The students' measurements are precise because they are consistently close to each other. However, they are not accurate because all the measurements deviate from the known mass of the product (30 g). Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value, while precision refers to the level of agreement among repeated measurements. Since the students' measurements are consistent but do not align with the true value, they can be considered precise but not accurate. Choice A is incorrect because accuracy relates to the proximity of the measurements to the true value, which is not the case here. Choice C is incorrect because although the measurements are precise, they are not accurate. Choice D is incorrect because the measurements are precise as they show good agreement with each other, even though they are not accurate.
3. During protein synthesis, what process creates a complementary strand of RNA from a DNA template?
- A. Transcription
- B. Translation
- C. Transformation
- D. Replication
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Transcription.' During protein synthesis, transcription is the process that creates a complementary RNA strand from a DNA template. This process involves the synthesis of mRNA using DNA as a template. Choice B, 'Translation,' is incorrect as it is the process where the genetic code carried by mRNA is decoded to produce a specific polypeptide chain. Choice C, 'Transformation,' is not related to the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template. Choice D, 'Replication,' is the process of copying DNA to produce an identical DNA molecule, not RNA.
4. Which one is not a reactant in photosynthesis?
- A. Water
- B. Light energy
- C. Glucose
- D. Carbon dioxide
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Glucose. Glucose is not a reactant in photosynthesis but a product. During photosynthesis, plants use water, carbon dioxide, and light energy as reactants to produce glucose and oxygen. Water is essential for the process of photosynthesis, along with carbon dioxide and light energy. Light energy is necessary for the light-dependent reactions to occur, which eventually leads to the production of glucose. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants through tiny pores called stomata and is used in the Calvin cycle to synthesize glucose. Therefore, glucose is the product of photosynthesis, not a reactant.
5. What is the initial step in the metabolism of food to cellular energy?
- A. Citric Acid Cycle
- B. Glycolysis
- C. Electron Transport Chain
- D. Photosynthesis
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Glycolysis. Glycolysis is the initial step in the metabolism of food to cellular energy. During glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvate, generating ATP and NADH. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the Citric Acid Cycle and Electron Transport Chain occur later in cellular respiration, while Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
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