the fur color in a population of dogs is controlled by two alleles black b and tan b the black allele exhibits complete dominance if the phenotype of

HESI A2

Biology HESI A2 Practice Test

1. The fur color in a population of dogs is controlled by two alleles: black (B) and tan (b). The black allele exhibits complete dominance. If the phenotype of the dog is tan fur, what is its genotype?

A. BB
B. Bb
C. bb
D. Not enough information

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: "bb." Since tan fur is the recessive trait controlled by the allele 'b,' the only possible genotype for a dog with tan fur is 'bb.' If a dog had the genotype 'BB' or 'Bb,' the dominant trait (black fur) would be expressed, not tan fur. Choice D, 'Not enough information,' is incorrect because based on the information provided, we can deduce the genotype of a dog with tan fur.

2. Which organelle would you expect to be present in a cell responsible for detoxifying multiple molecules?

A. rough ER
B. smooth ER
C. lysosome
D. Golgi apparatus

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the organelle responsible for detoxifying multiple molecules in a cell. It contains enzymes that help break down toxins and drugs, making it an essential organelle for detoxification processes. The rough ER, lysosome, and Golgi apparatus do not play direct roles in detoxification. The rough ER is mainly involved in protein synthesis and transport. Lysosomes are responsible for digestion and recycling within the cell. The Golgi apparatus is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion or for use within the cell.

3. Which of the following is an example of human error in an experiment?

A. an imperfectly calibrated scale
B. contaminating a sterile sample by breathing on it
C. a draft in the laboratory slightly changing the temperature of a liquid
D. failure to account for wind speed when measuring distance traveled

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Contaminating a sterile sample by breathing on it is an example of human error in an experiment because it involves an action directly caused by the researcher that compromises the integrity of the sample. Breathing on a sterile sample introduces external contaminants that can affect the results. Choices A, C, and D involve factors not directly under the researcher's control or are technical errors that do not involve direct human actions.

4. Genes control heredity in man and other organisms. This gene is ___

A. A segment of DNA
B. A bead-like structure on the chromosomes
C. A protein molecule
D. A segment of RNA

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Genes are sections of DNA that contain instructions for building and operating living organisms. These sections of DNA contain the genetic information that is passed on from one generation to the next. Genes are composed of specific sequences of nucleotides within the DNA molecule. Therefore, genes are best described as segments of DNA. Choice A is correct. Choice B is incorrect because genes are not bead-like structures on chromosomes but specific sequences of DNA. Choice C is incorrect because genes are not protein molecules but rather sequences of nucleotides. Choice D is incorrect because genes are not segments of RNA but DNA.

5. A cell containing 12 chromosomes divides into daughter cells in mitosis. How many chromosomes are in each daughter cell?

A. 3
B. 6
C. 12
D. 24

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During mitosis, the cell undergoes nuclear division without changing the number of chromosomes. Therefore, the daughter cells produced will have the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. In this case, since the parent cell contains 12 chromosomes, each daughter cell will also have 12 chromosomes. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because during mitosis, the chromosome number remains the same, and daughter cells inherit the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.