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. What is the fundamental unit of life?
- A. Atom
- B. Cell
- C. Tissue
- D. Organ
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is 'B: Cell.' Cells are indeed the fundamental unit of life as they are responsible for all living functions, including growth, reproduction, and maintaining homeostasis. While atoms are the basic building blocks of matter, cells are the smallest structural and functional unit of living organisms. Choices C and D, tissue and organ respectively, are composed of multiple cells working together and are not considered the basic unit of life.
4. What are the two catabolic pathways that lead to cellular energy production?
- A. Fermentation and internal respiration
- B. Fermentation and external respiration
- C. Fermentation and cellular respiration
- D. Fermentation and anaerobic respiration
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Fermentation and cellular respiration.' Fermentation is an anaerobic catabolic process that occurs in the absence of oxygen, producing limited amounts of ATP. Cellular respiration, on the other hand, is the aerobic catabolic pathway that occurs in the presence of oxygen and is the most efficient way of producing ATP. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because internal respiration, external respiration, and anaerobic respiration are not the correct pathways leading to cellular energy production.
5. Why is yeast used to make bread rise?
- A. It engages in photosynthesis, which produces oxygen gas.
- B. Carbon dioxide forms while yeast carries out photosynthesis.
- C. Yeast carries out fermentation, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide.
- D. Yeast breathes in oxygen and produces carbon dioxide through aerobic respiration.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Yeast is used to make bread rise because it carries out fermentation, producing carbon dioxide gas. The carbon dioxide gas gets trapped in the dough, causing it to rise and create a fluffy texture in the bread. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because yeast does not engage in photosynthesis, so it does not produce oxygen gas, does not carry out photosynthesis to form carbon dioxide, and does not produce carbon dioxide through aerobic respiration. Yeast's fermentation process is essential for bread rising.
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