HESI A2
Biology HESI A2 2024
1. 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.
2. Select the option that best shows complementary base pairing in DNA:
- A. A and G
- B. A and C
- C. A and A
- D. A and T
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. A purine (A) must pair with a pyrimidine (T) in DNA. This eliminates options A and C as they do not follow the rule of complementary base pairing. Adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T) due to their specific shape and bonding properties in DNA structure. Choice B is incorrect because adenine does not pair with cytosine in DNA.
3. What is another name for the light-independent reaction in plants?
- A. Photosynthesis
- B. Calvin cycle
- C. Germination
- D. Phosphorus cycle
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The light-independent reaction in plants is also known as the Calvin cycle. This biochemical pathway, named after Melvin Calvin who discovered it, takes place in the stroma of chloroplasts and is responsible for converting carbon dioxide into glucose using ATP and NADPH generated during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. The Calvin cycle does not directly require light to function, hence the alternative name as the light-independent reaction. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Photosynthesis is the overall process of converting light energy into chemical energy, which includes both light-dependent and light-independent reactions. Germination is the process where a seed sprouts into a new plant. The phosphorus cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
4. During which phase of mitosis does the nuclear envelope disintegrate?
- A. Prophase
- B. Prophase
- C. Prometaphase
- D. Metaphase
Correct answer: C
Rationale: During the prometaphase stage of mitosis, the nuclear envelope disintegrates. This allows the condensed chromosomes to move towards the center of the cell, preparing for their alignment along the metaphase plate. The breakdown of the nuclear envelope is a crucial step in mitosis to ensure the proper segregation of genetic material into daughter cells. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as the nuclear envelope disintegration specifically occurs during the prometaphase stage, not in prophase or metaphase.
5. What is necessary for active transport through a membrane to take place?
- A. Glucose
- B. Oxygen
- C. Sodium
- D. ATP
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Active transport through a membrane requires energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP provides the necessary energy for the transport proteins to move molecules against the concentration gradient, from an area of lower concentration to higher concentration. This process is essential for maintaining cellular functions and regulating the internal environment of a cell. Glucose, oxygen, and sodium are important molecules involved in various cellular processes, but they are not the primary energy source required for active transport across membranes. Therefore, the correct answer is ATP.
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