HESI A2
HESI A2 Biology Practice Test 2024
1. What is the fundamental unit of life?
- A. Atom
- B. Cell
- C. Tissue
- D. Organ
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is 'B: Cell.' Cells are indeed the fundamental unit of life as they are responsible for all living functions, including growth, reproduction, and maintaining homeostasis. While atoms are the basic building blocks of matter, cells are the smallest structural and functional unit of living organisms. Choices C and D, tissue and organ respectively, are composed of multiple cells working together and are not considered the basic unit of life.
2. How does an enzyme work on a chemical reaction that occurs in a substrate?
- A. An enzyme slows down the chemical reaction.
- B. An enzyme speeds up the chemical reaction.
- C. An enzyme has no effect on the chemical reaction.
- D. An enzyme stops most chemical reactions.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Enzymes are biological catalysts that facilitate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. This allows the reaction to proceed more quickly and efficiently. Enzymes do not change the overall outcome of the reaction, but they significantly increase the rate at which it takes place. Therefore, choice B, 'An enzyme speeds up the chemical reaction,' is the correct answer. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because enzymes do not slow down, have no effect, or stop chemical reactions; instead, they accelerate the process by lowering the activation energy.
3. What happens during anaphase?
- A. Chromosomes move to opposite ends of the spindle.
- B. Nuclear membrane and nucleoli disintegrate.
- C. Chromatids line up at the center of the spindle.
- D. Nuclear membrane and nucleoli form.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: During anaphase, the sister chromatids, joined at the centromere, separate and move towards opposite ends of the spindle apparatus. This movement ensures that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes. Choice B is incorrect as the disintegration of the nuclear membrane and nucleoli occurs during prophase. Choice C is incorrect as chromatids align at the center of the spindle during metaphase, not anaphase. Choice D is incorrect as the formation of the nuclear membrane and nucleoli occurs during telophase, not anaphase.
4. Tundra, savannas, grasslands, deserts, and rainforests are examples of what?
- A. Biomasses
- B. Biospheres
- C. Biodiversity
- D. Biomes
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Tundra, savannas, grasslands, deserts, and rainforests are examples of biomes. A biome is a large geographical area with similar climatic conditions and distinct flora and fauna. Each biome has its unique characteristics, such as temperature, precipitation levels, and types of vegetation, which define the ecosystem within that region. Biomasses refer to the total mass of living organisms in a given area, biospheres are the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, and biodiversity represents the variety of life forms in a specific habitat.
5. Imagine that two parents both carry the recessive gene for cystic fibrosis. Any homozygous recessive offspring will manifest the disease. What percentage of the offspring is predicted to be carriers but not manifest the disease?
- A. 0%
- B. 25%
- C. 50%
- D. 100%
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When both parents carry the recessive gene for cystic fibrosis (homozygous recessive), there is a 25% chance for each offspring to inherit two recessive alleles and, therefore, manifest the disease. There is also a 50% chance for each offspring to inherit one recessive allele and one dominant allele, making them carriers of the disease but not manifest it. Therefore, 25% of the offspring are predicted to be carriers but not manifest the disease. Choice A (0%) is incorrect because there is a portion of offspring that will be carriers. Choice C (50%) is incorrect as this percentage corresponds to carriers who will not manifest the disease. Choice D (100%) is incorrect as not all offspring will be carriers and not manifest the disease.
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