Biology HESI A2 Practice Test

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Taxonomy. Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms based on their physical characteristics and presumed natural relationships. It involves categorizing organisms into different groups to reflect their evolutionary history. Biology (A) is the broader study of living organisms, not specifically focused on classification. Grouping (C) is a generic term and does not encompass the systematic categorization process of taxonomy. Nomenclature (D) refers to the naming of organisms, not their classification based on physical characteristics and relationships.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: electron transport chain. This step in cellular respiration produces the greatest amount of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation, where electrons are passed through a series of protein complexes to generate a proton gradient used to produce ATP. In contrast, glycolysis only produces a small amount of ATP, the citric acid cycle produces some ATP but not as much as the electron transport chain, and fermentation doesn't produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, the electron transport chain is the most efficient step in ATP production during cellular respiration.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: epididymis. The epididymis is the structure in the male reproductive system that stores spermatozoa during the maturation process. Sperm are produced in the testes and then move to the epididymis for storage and maturation before being ejaculated. The vas deferens is the tube that carries mature sperm from the epididymis to the urethra during ejaculation. The scrotum is the external sac that holds the testes and helps regulate their temperature. The testicular artery supplies blood to the testes but is not directly involved in storing spermatozoa.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Adenine is a purine base because it has a double-ring structure, which is a characteristic of purines. It pairs with thymine in DNA and uracil in RNA. Cytosine, thymine, and guanine are pyrimidines, which have a single-ring structure. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Cytosine, thymine, and guanine are incorrect choices as they are pyrimidines.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The Coriolis effect. The Earth's rotation causes the Coriolis effect, which influences the direction of moving objects on the Earth's surface, including the atmosphere. This effect is responsible for the rotation of winds in the atmosphere and the movement of ocean currents. The Coriolis effect deflects moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. Summary of why the other choices are incorrect: B: The Corona effect is not related to the Earth's rotation but rather refers to the outermost layers of the sun's atmosphere. C: The Archimedes effect is related to buoyancy and the upward force exerted on an object submerged in a fluid, not the Earth's rotation. D: The tidal effect is caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's oceans, not directly related to the Earth's rotation impacting the atmosphere and objects on the surface.