Biology HESI A2 2024

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Salmonella. Binary fission is a form of asexual reproduction where a single organism divides into two identical organisms. Salmonella is a bacterium that reproduces through binary fission. Mushrooms reproduce via spores, blue whales and rainbow trout reproduce sexually. Therefore, Salmonella is the only organism among the choices that reproduces via binary fission.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Precise. The measurements are precise because they are consistent with each other, showing low variability. However, they are not accurate as they do not reflect the true value of 30 g. Option A is incorrect because accuracy refers to how close measurements are to the true value. Option C is incorrect as the measurements are not accurate. Option D is incorrect because the measurements are precise but not accurate.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nitrification. The water cycle includes evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. Nitrification is a process in the nitrogen cycle, not the water cycle. Condensation is the conversion of water vapor into liquid water. Transpiration is the release of water vapor from plants. Absorption refers to water being taken up by plants or soil. Nitrification, the process of converting ammonia into nitrates, is unrelated to the movement of water in the water cycle.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: It will swell and possibly burst. This is because the solution outside the cell is hypotonic compared to the inside, causing water to move into the cell through osmosis, leading to swelling. If the influx of water is excessive, the cell may burst. Explanation for other choices: B: It will shrivel and shrink - This would happen if the solution outside the cell is hypertonic, causing water to move out of the cell, leading to shrinkage. C: It will maintain its current size - In an isotonic solution, there would be no net movement of water, so the cell would maintain its size. D: It will grow a supportive cell wall - Cell walls are typically found in plant cells and serve different functions. The growth of a cell wall is not directly related to the concentration of solutes inside and outside the cell.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: To determine the percentage of offspring that are carriers but not manifesting the disease, we need to consider the Punnett square. When both parents carry the recessive gene, there is a 25% chance of producing homozygous recessive offspring with cystic fibrosis. This means the remaining 75% will be carriers (heterozygous) but not show symptoms. Therefore, the correct answer is B (25%). A: 0% - Incorrect, as carriers are present. C: 50% - Incorrect, as it does not account for the probability of being a carrier. D: 100% - Incorrect, as not all offspring will manifest the disease.