which is true of gametes

HESI A2

Biology HESI A2 Practice Test

1. Which is true of gametes?

A. They are diploid cells
B. They are haploid cells
C. They are somatic
D. A & C are true

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Gametes are sex cells (sperm and eggs) that are involved in sexual reproduction. They are haploid cells, meaning they have half the number of chromosomes (n) compared to diploid cells. This is necessary for the formation of a diploid zygote when two gametes unite during fertilization. Somatic cells are non-reproductive cells in the body, so they are not gametes. Choice A is incorrect because gametes are not diploid but haploid. Choice C is incorrect because gametes are not somatic cells.

2. Which form of fermentation is used to produce beer?

A. Lactic acid fermentation
B. Acetic acid fermentation
C. Propionic acid fermentation
D. Ethyl alcohol fermentation

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Ethyl alcohol fermentation. During beer production, yeast metabolizes sugars in the wort to produce ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and carbon dioxide, which are responsible for the alcohol content and carbonation in beer. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because lactic acid fermentation produces lactic acid, acetic acid fermentation produces acetic acid, and propionic acid fermentation produces propionic acid, none of which are used in the production of beer.

3. Which of the following molecules is an important component of the plasma membrane?

A. Phospholipids
B. Steroids
C. Sugars
D. Amino acids

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Phospholipids are indeed a crucial component of the plasma membrane. They have a unique structure with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails, which allows them to form the lipid bilayer of the membrane. Steroids, sugars, and amino acids are not primary components of the plasma membrane. Steroids are a different type of lipid, sugars are often found in glycoproteins on the membrane surface, and amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, some of which are membrane proteins, but not the membrane itself.

4. 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.

5. RNA is made from DNA through a process called ___________.

A. transcription
B. synthesis
C. translation
D. replication

Correct answer: A

Rationale: RNA is made from DNA through a process called transcription. During transcription, an enzyme called RNA polymerase reads the DNA template and synthesizes a complementary RNA molecule. This process is essential for gene expression and allows the information encoded in DNA to be converted into functional RNA molecules. Choice B, 'synthesis,' is incorrect as it is a general term and does not specifically describe the process of RNA formation from DNA. Choice C, 'translation,' is incorrect as it refers to the process where the mRNA is used to assemble amino acids during protein synthesis, not the conversion of DNA to RNA. Choice D, 'replication,' is incorrect as it is the process of making an identical copy of DNA, not converting DNA into RNA.