which of the following molecules is an important component of the plasma membrane

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. Which of the following organisms would not have eukaryotic cells?

A. Bacteria
B. Dog
C. Human
D. Onion

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Bacteria. Bacteria do not have eukaryotic cells. They are single-celled organisms with prokaryotic cells. Dogs, humans, and onions are all multicellular organisms that possess eukaryotic cells. Therefore, choices B, C, and D have eukaryotic cells and are not the correct answer.

3. Which of the following cell types has no nucleus?

A. platelet
B. red blood cell
C. white blood cell
D. phagocyte

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, red blood cell. In humans, red blood cells do not have a nucleus. This unique feature allows them to have more space to carry oxygen efficiently. Platelets (choice A), white blood cells (choice C), and phagocytes (choice D) all have nuclei. Platelets are cell fragments, while white blood cells and phagocytes are types of immune cells that contain a nucleus for DNA and cellular functions.

4. Which of the following organelles are responsible for producing cell energy?

A. Mitochondrion and chloroplast
B. Mitochondrion and nucleus
C. Chloroplast and nucleus
D. Chloroplast and lysosome

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Mitochondrion and chloroplast. Mitochondria and chloroplasts are the organelles responsible for producing cell energy through cellular respiration and photosynthesis, respectively. Choice B is incorrect because the nucleus is not involved in energy production. Choice C is incorrect as the nucleus is not an organelle that produces energy. Choice D is incorrect as lysosomes function in digesting waste materials, not in energy production.

5. What kind of bond connects sugar and phosphate in DNA?

A. hydrogen
B. ionic
C. covalent
D. overt

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Sugar and phosphate are indeed connected by covalent bonds in DNA. Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms, which is essential for forming the backbone of the DNA molecule. Hydrogen bonds (Choice A) are important in holding the nitrogenous bases together in the DNA double helix but do not connect sugar and phosphate. Ionic bonds (Choice B) involve the transfer of electrons between atoms and are not the primary bond connecting sugar and phosphate in DNA. 'Overt' (Choice D) is not a type of chemical bond and is an incorrect distractor.