HESI A2
HESI A2 Practice Test Biology
1. 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.
2. Select the strand of DNA that would match this segment: ACTTGCA
- A. TGAACGT
- B. GACCATG
- C. ACTTGCA
- D. None of the above
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct match for the DNA segment ACTTGCA is TGAACGT. In DNA, adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) always pairs with guanine (G). Therefore, the complementary strand to ACTTGCA should be TGAACGT, making choice A the correct answer. Choice B (GACCATG) does not follow the base pairing rules; hence, it is incorrect. Choice C (ACTTGCA) is the original segment, not its complementary strand. Choice D is incorrect as well because a matching strand does exist.
3. Which names a final step in protein synthesis?
- A. DNA unzips.
- B. Amino acids bond.
- C. Transfer RNA bonds to messenger RNA.
- D. Messenger RNA moves to ribosomes.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The final step in protein synthesis is when amino acids bond together to form a protein chain. This process occurs during translation, where transfer RNA (tRNA) brings specific amino acids to the ribosome, and the ribosome catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between the amino acids. This step ultimately leads to the synthesis of a complete protein based on the instructions from messenger RNA (mRNA). Choice A ('DNA unzips') is incorrect as it refers to the initiation of transcription, not the final step of protein synthesis. Choice C ('Transfer RNA bonds to messenger RNA') is incorrect as it describes the process of translation initiation rather than the final step. Choice D ('Messenger RNA moves to ribosomes') is also incorrect as mRNA is already present at the ribosomes throughout the translation process, not just in the final step.
4. Select the cell parts that are present in plant cells but not animal cells (there may be more than one answer):
- A. Cell membrane
- B. Cell wall
- C. Ribosome
- D. Chloroplast
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Plant cells have a cell wall (B) which provides structural support and protection for the cell, a feature that is not present in animal cells. The cell membrane (A) is found in both plant and animal cells. Ribosomes (C) are present in both types of cells and are responsible for protein synthesis. Chloroplasts (D) are unique to plant cells and are responsible for carrying out photosynthesis. Therefore, the correct answers are B and D because the cell wall and chloroplast are specific to plant cells, while the cell membrane and ribosomes are found in both plant and animal cells.
5. Anaerobic respiration happens in _ because _ .
- A. Animals; they need energy
- B. Plants; they use sunlight
- C. Bacteria; they live in environments with low oxygen
- D. None of the above
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Anaerobic respiration happens in bacteria because they live in environments with low oxygen. Bacteria, unlike animals and plants, do not have easy access to oxygen for aerobic respiration and must find alternative ways to produce energy to survive. This makes anaerobic respiration essential for their metabolic processes. Choice A is incorrect because although animals need energy, they generally rely on aerobic respiration when oxygen is available. Choice B is incorrect because plants primarily perform photosynthesis using sunlight to produce energy. Choice D is incorrect as anaerobic respiration does occur in specific organisms like bacteria when oxygen is scarce.
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