what organelle pushes water out of the cell

HESI A2

HESI A2 Biology Practice Test 2024

1. What organelle pushes water out of the cell?

A. Lysosomes
B. Vacuoles (contractile)
C. Mitochondria
D. Nucleus

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Vacuoles (contractile). Vacuoles (contractile) are responsible for expelling excess water out of the cell. Lysosomes are involved in the digestion and removal of waste materials, mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell involved in energy production, and the nucleus contains the cell's genetic material but does not play a role in pushing water out of the cell.

2. Which organelle provides storage space for the cell?

A. Mitochondrion
B. Vacuole
C. Cell membrane
D. Ribosome

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Vacuole. The vacuole is the organelle responsible for providing storage space in the cell. It stores water, nutrients, waste products, and other essential materials required by the cell. Vacuoles are crucial for maintaining cell structure and regulating cellular processes. Mitochondrion (choice A) is known as the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for producing energy. The cell membrane (choice C) is a protective barrier around the cell, regulating what enters and exits the cell. Ribosomes (choice D) are involved in protein synthesis, not storage.

3. How should a researcher test the hypothesis that practicing yoga reduces blood pressure?

A. Record the blood pressure of one male and one female participant before and after participating in a yoga class.
B. Divide 30 female participants into two groups with similar average blood pressure; test each participant’s blood pressure after participating in a yoga class.
C. Divide 30 female participants into two groups with similar average blood pressure; have one group watch television for an hour while the other takes a yoga class, record each participant’s blood pressure after the hour. Repeat daily for two weeks.
D. Start with 15 men and 15 women; have the men watch television for an hour while the women take a yoga class, record each participant’s blood pressure after the hour. Reverse, having the men take a yoga class while the women watch television.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Option B is the most appropriate way to test the hypothesis that practicing yoga reduces blood pressure. By dividing 30 female participants into two groups with similar average blood pressure levels and testing each participant's blood pressure after participating in a yoga class, the researcher can effectively evaluate the impact of yoga on blood pressure. This design allows for a comparison between the two groups, helping to isolate the effects of yoga practice on blood pressure. Option A only involves one male and one female participant, which may not provide a representative sample. Option C introduces an additional variable of watching television, which could confound the results. Option D lacks consistency in the experimental design by switching the activities between men and women, making it difficult to attribute any observed changes solely to yoga practice.

4. How many chromosomes do sperm and egg produce in meiosis?

A. 46
B. 23
C. 45
D. 24

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Sperm and egg cells undergo meiosis to form gametes with half the number of chromosomes found in somatic cells. Each sperm and egg cell produces 23 chromosomes through meiosis. Choice A is incorrect because 46 chromosomes represent the diploid number found in somatic cells. Choice C is incorrect as it is an uncommon number for chromosome production in human gametes. Choice D is incorrect as the total number of chromosomes in sperm or egg cells is 23, not 24.

5. If both parents have polydactylism, what percentage of their offspring is predicted to manifest the anomaly?

A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
D. 100%

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When both parents have polydactylism, they each possess at least one dominant allele for polydactylism. Through a Punnett square analysis, it can be determined that 50% of their offspring will inherit the dominant allele from both parents. This results in a 100% chance of manifesting the anomaly (2 out of 4 possibilities). Therefore, 50% of the offspring are predicted to manifest the anomaly. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the principles of Mendelian genetics and Punnett square analysis.