HESI A2
HESI A2 Biology Practice Test
1. Which of the following bases is not present in RNA?
- A. Adenine
- B. Thymine
- C. Uracil
- D. Cytosine
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Thymine is not present in RNA. RNA uses uracil as one of its bases, which pairs with adenine. In RNA, adenine does not pair with thymine as in DNA. Cytosine and guanine are the other two bases found in both RNA and DNA.
2. Select the option that best shows complementary base pairing in DNA:
- A. A and G
- B. A and C
- C. A and A
- D. A and T
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. A purine (A) must pair with a pyrimidine (T) in DNA. This eliminates options A and C as they do not follow the rule of complementary base pairing. Adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T) due to their specific shape and bonding properties in DNA structure. Choice B is incorrect because adenine does not pair with cytosine in DNA.
3. How should a researcher test the hypothesis that radiation from cell phones is significant enough to raise the temperature of water in a test tube?
- A. Dial a cell phone that rests beside a test tube of water, let it ring for two minutes, and record the temperature of the water before and after the two-minute interval.
- B. Dial a cell phone that rests beside a test tube of water; let it ring for two, three, and four minutes; and record the temperature of the water before and after each interval.
- C. Use three different brands of cell phone; dial each as it rests beside its own test tube of water, let it ring for two minutes, and record the temperature of the water before and after the two-minute interval.
- D. Use three different brands of cell phone, dial each and let one ring for two minutes, one for three minutes, and one for four minutes; record the temperature of the water before and after each interval.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: To test the hypothesis that radiation from cell phones raises the temperature of water in a test tube, the most appropriate method is to dial a cell phone next to a test tube of water, let it ring for a consistent two-minute interval, and record the temperature before and after. Choice A is correct because it provides a controlled approach to isolate the impact of the phone's radiation on the water temperature. Choices B, C, and D introduce additional variables that could confound the results. Choice B varies the duration of exposure, making it difficult to attribute temperature changes specifically to the radiation. Choice C introduces the factor of different cell phone brands, which could introduce variability not related to radiation. Choice D also varies exposure times and introduces the factor of multiple phone brands, making it harder to determine the direct impact of cell phone radiation on water temperature. Therefore, choice A is the most suitable option for this experiment.
4. Phenotype refers to the _ of an individual.
- A. Genetic makeup
- B. Actual physical appearance
- C. Recessive alleles
- D. None of the above
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Phenotype refers to the actual physical appearance and characteristics of an individual, which are determined by the interaction of both genetic makeup (genotype) and environmental factors. It includes visible traits such as height, eye color, and hair type. Choice A, genetic makeup, refers to the genotype, which is the genetic constitution of an organism. Choice C, recessive alleles, is a specific type of gene variant and does not encompass the entire concept of phenotype. Choice D, none of the above, is incorrect as phenotype does refer to the actual physical appearance of an individual.
5. Which names a final step in protein synthesis?
- A. DNA unzips.
- B. Amino acids bond.
- C. Transfer RNA bonds to messenger RNA.
- D. Messenger RNA moves to ribosomes.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The final step in protein synthesis is when amino acids bond together to form a protein chain. This process occurs during translation, where transfer RNA (tRNA) brings specific amino acids to the ribosome, and the ribosome catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between the amino acids. This step ultimately leads to the synthesis of a complete protein based on the instructions from messenger RNA (mRNA). Choice A ('DNA unzips') is incorrect as it refers to the initiation of transcription, not the final step of protein synthesis. Choice C ('Transfer RNA bonds to messenger RNA') is incorrect as it describes the process of translation initiation rather than the final step. Choice D ('Messenger RNA moves to ribosomes') is also incorrect as mRNA is already present at the ribosomes throughout the translation process, not just in the final step.
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