HESI A2
HESI A2 Practice Test Biology Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is the function of water in photosynthesis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Supply electrons in the light reactions.' In photosynthesis, water is split during the light reactions of photosynthesis, releasing electrons that are used in the formation of ATP and NADPH, crucial for the synthesis of glucose.
Choice A is incorrect because water does not combine with carbon dioxide in photosynthesis.
Choice B is incorrect as water does not absorb light energy directly.
Choice D is incorrect because the transportation of hydrogen ions mainly occurs in the electron transport chain, which is part of the light reactions, not the dark reactions.
Question 2 of 5
Which organelle is responsible for organizing protein synthesis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ribosome. Ribosomes are responsible for organizing protein synthesis by assembling amino acids. They are the cellular machinery where proteins are synthesized. The other choices, such as the nucleus, lysosome, and vacuole, do not directly participate in protein synthesis. The nucleus contains DNA and controls cell activities, the lysosome is involved in digestion and waste removal, and the vacuole is responsible for storage and maintaining cell turgor pressure.
Question 3 of 5
What is the first step in the conversion of glucose to pyruvate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Glycolysis. Glycolysis is the initial step in the conversion of glucose to pyruvate. During glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvate through a series of enzymatic reactions.
Choice B, the Krebs cycle, occurs after glycolysis in aerobic cellular respiration.
Choice C, the Electron transport chain, is the final step in aerobic respiration where the majority of ATP is produced.
Choice D, Aerobic respiration, is a broader term that encompasses glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain, but it is not the specific first step in the conversion of glucose to pyruvate.
Question 4 of 5
During protein synthesis, what process creates a complementary strand of RNA from a DNA template?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Transcription.' During protein synthesis, transcription is the process that creates a complementary RNA strand from a DNA template. This process involves the synthesis of mRNA using DNA as a template.
Choice B, 'Translation,' is incorrect as it is the process where the genetic code carried by mRNA is decoded to produce a specific polypeptide chain.
Choice C, 'Transformation,' is not related to the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template.
Choice D, 'Replication,' is the process of copying DNA to produce an identical DNA molecule, not RNA.
Question 5 of 5
The cell membrane consists of a bilayer of phospholipids with proteins, cholesterol, and glycoproteins. What does this bilayer create?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Selectively permeable.' The cell membrane's bilayer structure allows it to be selectively permeable, meaning it can control the passage of substances. This property enables the membrane to regulate the entry and exit of specific molecules, ions, and other substances.
Choice A, 'Impermeable,' is incorrect as the cell membrane is not completely impermeable and does allow certain substances to pass through.
Choice B, 'Permeable,' is also incorrect as it does not address the selective nature of the membrane.
Choice D, 'Selectively impermeable,' is a contradictory term and does not accurately describe the cell membrane's function.