HESI A2
HESI A2 Biology 2024 Questions
Question 1 of 9
A student was asked to count birds in a given location over a 24-hour period. Which count would make their data most valid?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Counting birds at one feeder at consistent time intervals (noon and 6:00 P.M.) over a 24-hour period ensures that the data collected are evenly distributed and provide a more accurate representation of the bird population in that location throughout the day. This method allows for observations during different times of the day, capturing potential variations in bird activity and distribution. Choice A is not as effective as it lacks observations at different times of the day, potentially missing variations in bird behavior. Choice B involves multiple locations and times, which could introduce more variables and make it harder to analyze the data accurately. Choice D, counting birds at three feeders every 6 hours, may provide too frequent data points and not cover all significant time intervals for observing bird activity.
Question 2 of 9
Dogs are part of a larger animal group, the Carnivora. What classification is this?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The classification 'Carnivora' refers to an order in the taxonomic hierarchy. In the Linnaean classification system, the order comes below the class but above the family level. Therefore, Carnivora is a higher classification that includes dog species as well as other carnivorous mammals like cats, bears, and weasels. Option A (Kingdom) is too broad and refers to the highest taxonomic rank. Option B (Class) is a lower taxonomic rank than order. Option D (Genus) is a much more specific rank that comes below the family level in the Linnaean hierarchy.
Question 3 of 9
What is the term for the breakdown of glycogen into glucose subunits?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hydrolysis is the term used to describe the breakdown of large molecules into smaller units by adding water. In the case of glycogen being broken down into glucose subunits, this process involves the addition of water molecules to break the glycosidic bonds between glucose molecules, resulting in the release of individual glucose subunits. This process is crucial for providing cells with a source of energy when needed. Choice B, Reduction, refers to a chemical reaction involving a gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state, not the breakdown of glycogen into glucose subunits. Choice C, Metabolism, is a broad term encompassing all biochemical processes in an organism, including anabolism and catabolism, but does not specifically describe the breakdown of glycogen into glucose subunits. Choice D, Transpiration, is the process of water movement through a plant and is not related to the breakdown of glycogen into glucose subunits.
Question 4 of 9
Which is not one of the raw materials needed for cellular respiration?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Water is not one of the raw materials needed for cellular respiration. The essential raw materials for cellular respiration include glucose (which is broken down to produce energy), oxygen, and ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and phosphate (which are necessary for the formation of ATP, the energy currency of cells). While water is crucial for many cellular processes and makes up a significant portion of cells, it is not directly involved as a raw material in the cellular respiration process.
Question 5 of 9
How should a researcher test the hypothesis that radiation from cell phones is significant enough to raise the temperature of water in a test tube?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: To test the hypothesis that radiation from cell phones raises the temperature of water in a test tube, the most appropriate method is to dial a cell phone next to a test tube of water, let it ring for a consistent two-minute interval, and record the temperature before and after. Choice A is correct because it provides a controlled approach to isolate the impact of the phone's radiation on the water temperature. Choices B, C, and D introduce additional variables that could confound the results. Choice B varies the duration of exposure, making it difficult to attribute temperature changes specifically to the radiation. Choice C introduces the factor of different cell phone brands, which could introduce variability not related to radiation. Choice D also varies exposure times and introduces the factor of multiple phone brands, making it harder to determine the direct impact of cell phone radiation on water temperature. Therefore, choice A is the most suitable option for this experiment.
Question 6 of 9
What happens during anaphase?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: During anaphase, the sister chromatids, joined at the centromere, separate and move towards opposite ends of the spindle apparatus. This movement ensures that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes. Choice B is incorrect as the disintegration of the nuclear membrane and nucleoli occurs during prophase. Choice C is incorrect as chromatids align at the center of the spindle during metaphase, not anaphase. Choice D is incorrect as the formation of the nuclear membrane and nucleoli occurs during telophase, not anaphase.
Question 7 of 9
Where is the ovary located in a flowering plant?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ovary is located in the pistil of a flowering plant. The pistil is the female reproductive part of the flower, and it consists of the ovary, style, and stigma. The ovary contains ovules, which develop into seeds after fertilization. Choice A, 'Anther,' is incorrect because the anther is the part of the flower's stamen that produces pollen. Choice C, 'Stamen,' is incorrect because the stamen is the male reproductive part of the flower, consisting of the anther and filament. Choice D, 'Calyx,' is incorrect because the calyx is the outermost whorl of a flower, composed of sepals that protect the flower bud.
Question 8 of 9
Ocean waves may tear sponges into pieces, each of which may grow into a new sponge. What is this form of reproduction called?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Fragmentation is the form of asexual reproduction where an organism breaks into fragments, and each fragment can grow into a new individual. In the case of sponges being torn into pieces by ocean waves, each piece has the potential to develop into a new sponge, making fragmentation the correct answer in this scenario. Budding is a form of asexual reproduction where a new organism develops as an outgrowth from the parent organism. Vegetative propagation involves the growth of new individuals from plant parts like stems or roots. Binary fission is a method of reproduction seen in some single-celled organisms where one cell divides into two identical cells.
Question 9 of 9
How many pairs of homologous chromosomes do humans have?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 46. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, which include 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes. Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that contain the same genes, one from each parent. Therefore, humans have a total of 46 chromosomes, with 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not represent the total number of chromosomes in humans or the number of pairs of homologous chromosomes.