why do gardeners sometimes use salt to get rid of slugs

HESI A2

Biology HESI A2 Practice Exam

1. Why do gardeners sometimes use salt to get rid of slugs?

A. The salt moves from the exterior into the slug’s body.
B. The salt causes water in the slug to move outward.
C. The salt and slug slime merge to form a new compound.
D. The salt’s corrosiveness breaks down the slug’s cell walls.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Gardeners use salt to get rid of slugs because salt is corrosive and breaks down the slug's cell walls. When the slug comes into contact with salt, the salt draws moisture out of the slug's body, causing dehydration and ultimately leading to the slug's death. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the primary mechanism of salt in eliminating slugs is its corrosive action on the slug's body, not the movement of salt into the slug's body, outward movement of water in the slug, or merging with slug slime to form a new compound.

2. 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.

3. Which of the following is not a product of the Krebs cycle?

A. carbon dioxide
B. oxygen
C. adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
D. energy carriers

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: oxygen. Oxygen is not a product of the Krebs cycle. During the Krebs cycle, carbon dioxide, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and energy carriers like NADH and FADH2 are produced. Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of the cycle, ATP is a form of energy produced, and energy carriers play a crucial role in transferring energy within the cell. Therefore, oxygen is the only option that is not a product of the Krebs cycle, making it the correct answer.

4. Which of the following describes how a bacterium reproduces?

A. Mitosis
B. Meiosis
C. Binary fission
D. Cytokinesis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Bacteria reproduce through a process called 'binary fission.' During binary fission, a bacterium duplicates its DNA and then divides into two identical daughter cells. This method is the primary way bacteria replicate. Choice A, 'Mitosis,' is incorrect because mitosis is a process specific to eukaryotic cells, where the nucleus divides to produce two identical nuclei. Choice B, 'Meiosis,' is incorrect as meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that produces gametes with half the chromosome number. Choice D, 'Cytokinesis,' is not the correct answer as cytokinesis is the physical process of cell division, which occurs after the genetic material has been divided in mitosis or meiosis.

5. Beeswax is an example of what kind of molecule?

A. Lipid
B. Carbohydrate
C. Protein
D. Nucleic acid

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Beeswax is primarily composed of esters of long-chain aliphatic alcohols and fatty acids, making it a type of lipid. Lipids are a diverse group of molecules that are hydrophobic in nature and have important functions in energy storage, signaling, and forming cellular membranes. Beeswax's chemical composition and properties categorize it as a lipid rather than a carbohydrate, protein, or nucleic acid. Carbohydrates are composed of sugars, proteins are made up of amino acids, and nucleic acids consist of nucleotides; none of which match the chemical composition of beeswax.