HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 Practice Exam
1. Which is not part of a nucleic acid?
- A. Sulfate
- B. Phosphate
- C. Carbon
- D. Nitrogen
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Sulfate is not part of a nucleic acid. Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are composed of nucleotide units, which consist of a phosphate group, a sugar molecule (ribose in RNA and deoxyribose in DNA), and a nitrogenous base. Carbon and nitrogen are essential elements found in nucleic acids, while sulfate is not a component of nucleic acid structure. Therefore, the correct answer is A: Sulfate.
2. What happens to messenger RNA when it reaches the cytoplasm?
- A. It attaches to a ribosome.
- B. It unzips, exposing nitrogen bases.
- C. It pairs with the DNA bases.
- D. It pulls free of the DNA strand.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm. When mRNA reaches the cytoplasm, it attaches to a ribosome. The ribosome functions as the site for protein synthesis through translation, where the genetic code carried by mRNA is read and translated into a specific sequence of amino acids. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because mRNA does not unzip, expose nitrogen bases, pair with DNA bases, or pull free of the DNA strand in the cytoplasm. The primary function of mRNA in the cytoplasm is to serve as a template for protein synthesis by binding to ribosomes.
3. How are molecules of water bonded to each other?
- A. Ionic
- B. Covalent
- C. Hydrogen
- D. Molecular
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Water molecules are bonded to each other by 'hydrogen' bonds. These bonds are not as strong as covalent bonds, which hold the atoms within each water molecule together (Choice B). Ionic bonds (Choice A) involve the transfer of electrons between atoms, which is not the case in water molecules. The term 'molecular' (Choice D) is too general and doesn't specifically describe the type of bond between water molecules.
4. What process involves the movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane?
- A. Diffusion
- B. Osmosis
- C. Active Transport
- D. Facilitated Diffusion
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Osmosis is the process specifically involving the movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane, from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration. This process helps balance concentrations on both sides of the membrane. Choice A, Diffusion, refers to the movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, not specific to water. Choice C, Active Transport, requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient, unlike osmosis. Choice D, Facilitated Diffusion, involves the use of transport proteins to move specific substances across membranes, not limited to water molecules.
5. Which organelle is found in protists but not in monerans?
- A. Golgi apparatus
- B. Chromosome
- C. Cytoplasm
- D. Cell membrane
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The Golgi apparatus is the correct answer. The Golgi apparatus is a cellular organelle responsible for processing and packaging proteins before they are transported to their final destination. Protists, being eukaryotic organisms, have membrane-bound organelles including the Golgi apparatus, which are absent in monerans. Monerans are prokaryotic organisms that lack membrane-bound structures such as the Golgi apparatus. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as chromosomes, cytoplasm, and cell membranes are present in both protists and monerans.
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