HESI A2
HESI A2 Biology Practice Test 2024
1. Which organelle is the site of photosynthesis in plant cells?
- A. Mitochondria
- B. Chloroplasts
- C. Ribosomes
- D. Endoplasmic Reticulum
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are responsible for conducting photosynthesis in plant cells. They contain chlorophyll, a pigment that captures light energy and converts it into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. Mitochondria (choice A) are known as the powerhouse of the cell and are involved in cellular respiration, not photosynthesis. Ribosomes (choice C) are responsible for protein synthesis. The endoplasmic reticulum (choice D) is involved in protein and lipid synthesis and transport within the cell, not photosynthesis.
2. Three students measured the mass of a product of combustion. They recorded measurements of 14 g, 16 g, and 17 g. If the known mass of the product is 30 g, how would you describe the students’ measurements?
- A. Accurate
- B. Precise
- C. Both accurate and precise
- D. Neither accurate nor precise
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The students' measurements are precise because they are consistently close to each other. However, they are not accurate because all the measurements deviate from the known mass of the product (30 g). Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value, while precision refers to the level of agreement among repeated measurements. Since the students' measurements are consistent but do not align with the true value, they can be considered precise but not accurate. Choice A is incorrect because accuracy relates to the proximity of the measurements to the true value, which is not the case here. Choice C is incorrect because although the measurements are precise, they are not accurate. Choice D is incorrect because the measurements are precise as they show good agreement with each other, even though they are not accurate.
3. What organelle is responsible for packaging, processing, and shipping?
- A. Nucleus
- B. Golgi Apparatus
- C. Endoplasmic Reticulum
- D. Ribosomes
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The Golgi Apparatus is the correct answer. It is responsible for packaging, processing, and shipping proteins and lipids within the cell. The nucleus houses genetic material, the endoplasmic reticulum is involved in protein synthesis and lipid metabolism, and ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are not the correct answers for the functions of packaging, processing, and shipping.
4. 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.
5. A cell is in a solution in which the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell than outside the cell. What would you expect to happen to the cell?
- A. It will swell and possibly burst.
- B. It will shrivel and shrink.
- C. It will maintain its current size.
- D. It will grow a supportive cell wall.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When a cell is in a solution where the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell than outside, it is in a hypertonic environment. In this situation, water will move into the cell in an attempt to equalize the concentration of solutes on both sides of the cell membrane through the process of osmosis. As a result, the cell will swell as it takes in more water, potentially leading to bursting or cell lysis. Choice B is incorrect because a cell in a hypertonic solution will not shrivel and shrink due to water moving into the cell. Choice C is incorrect because the cell will not maintain its current size; it will swell. Choice D is incorrect because growing a supportive cell wall is not the immediate response to being in a hypertonic environment.
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