Biology HESI A2 Practice Exam

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because observing the birds in the wild and recording them in predawn and postdawn hours every day for six months allows the researcher to capture their vocalization pattern accurately. This method ensures that the data collected cover a wide range of time periods and seasons, providing a comprehensive understanding of when the birds vocalize the most. Choice A is incorrect because observing birds in captivity may not reflect their natural behavior, and recording at two-hour intervals might miss the peak vocalization times around dawn. Choice B is incorrect because observing the birds in the wild at one-hour intervals in several seasons could provide useful data but may not specifically target the hypothesis about vocalization around dawn. Choice D is incorrect because comparing recordings of different species does not directly address the hypothesis about the vocalization pattern of the particular bird species around dawn.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C (12 chromosomes). During mitosis, a cell replicates its chromosomes and divides into two daughter cells, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Since the parent cell has 12 chromosomes, each daughter cell will also have 12 chromosomes after division. Choice A (3 chromosomes) and B (6 chromosomes) are incorrect because they do not account for the full set of chromosomes in the parent cell. Choice D (24 chromosomes) is incorrect as it would only be the total number of chromosomes if each daughter cell received the full set, which is not the case in mitosis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Sulfate. Nucleic acids consist of nucleotides, which are composed of a phosphate group, a sugar molecule (carbon), and a nitrogenous base. Sulfate is not a component of nucleic acids. Phosphate is essential for forming the backbone of the nucleic acid molecule. Carbon is present in the sugar component of the nucleotide. Nitrogen is found in the nitrogenous bases that pair in DNA and RNA. Therefore, among the choices, only sulfate is not a part of nucleic acids.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Glucose. In photosynthesis, glucose is not a reactant but a product synthesized as a result of the process. Water (A), light energy (B), and carbon dioxide (D) are all reactants in photosynthesis. Water is split into oxygen and hydrogen ions, light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll to initiate the process, and carbon dioxide is converted into glucose through a series of biochemical reactions. Therefore, glucose is the only option that is not a reactant in photosynthesis.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Honey. Lipids are organic compounds that are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. Honey does not contain lipids as it mainly consists of sugars and water. Butter (A), wax (B), and canola oil (C) are all examples of lipids as they contain fatty acids and glycerol. Butter is a dairy product high in saturated fats, wax is a type of lipid used for protection in plants and animals, and canola oil is a liquid lipid derived from rapeseed plants.