HESI A2 Biology 2024

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Mitosis. In the tip of a plant's root, cells undergo mitosis to increase in number. In mitosis, a parent cell divides into two identical daughter cells, ensuring the growth and repair of tissues. Meiosis, choice A, is a process of cell division that produces gametes with half the genetic material. Cytokinesis, choice B, is the process of cytoplasmic division following cell division. Fractioning, choice C, is not a biological process related to cell division. Mitosis is the only process mentioned that specifically describes cell division for growth and repair in plants.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D (2 females : 1 male) because in this scenario, the male offspring will inherit the X chromosome without the hemophilia gene from the mother. The female offspring will inherit one X chromosome with the hemophilia gene from the carrier mother and one X chromosome without the gene from the father. Therefore, 2 out of 3 offspring are predicted neither to carry nor manifest the disease. Choice A (0 females : 1 male) is incorrect because females can also be carriers of hemophilia. Choice B (1 female : 1 male) is incorrect because it doesn't account for the possibility of female carriers. Choice C (1 female : 0 males) is incorrect because it doesn't consider the transmission of the X chromosome from the mother to the sons.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: During glycolysis, glucose is broken down into molecules of pyruvic acid through a series of enzymatic reactions. This process occurs in the cytoplasm of cells and is the first step in cellular respiration. Pyruvic acid can then enter the citric acid cycle (Kreb's cycle) to further generate ATP. Choice A is incorrect because glucose's energy is not entirely lost but rather partially captured in the form of ATP. Choice C is incorrect as glucose is not stored in NADH but rather NADH is generated during glycolysis. Choice D is incorrect as glucose does not join with molecules of citric acid during glycolysis but rather pyruvic acid is the end product.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Red cedar. Gymnosperms are a group of seed-producing plants that do not have enclosed seeds. Red cedar is a gymnosperm because it produces naked seeds that are not enclosed in a fruit or ovary. Japanese cherry (B), Flowering dogwood (C), and American chestnut (D) are examples of angiosperms, which are seed-producing plants with enclosed seeds within a fruit or ovary. Therefore, they are not examples of gymnosperms.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: To synthesize proteins. Green plants use nitrates to incorporate nitrogen into their proteins during photosynthesis. Nitrogen is a vital component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Plants cannot store nitrogen as food (B), decompose ammonia (C), or break down nitrites (D) for protein synthesis. Therefore, A is the correct choice as it directly correlates with the role of nitrates in plant growth and development.