Biology HESI A2 2024

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Producers > secondary consumers. This is true because producers, like plants, have the highest energy content in an ecosystem as they convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. Secondary consumers, such as carnivores, obtain energy by consuming primary consumers or other secondary consumers, resulting in a lower energy content compared to producers. A: Decomposers < secondary consumers - Incorrect. Decomposers break down organic matter, releasing nutrients, and have a lower energy content compared to secondary consumers. B: Primary consumers < producers - Incorrect. Primary consumers, like herbivores, consume producers directly, so they have a lower energy content than producers. D: Secondary consumers < primary consumers - Incorrect. Secondary consumers typically have a lower energy content than primary consumers as they obtain energy by consuming them.

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: 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: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because it involves a controlled experiment with two distinct groups - one exposed to chocolate and the other not. This allows for comparison to determine the impact of chocolate consumption on acne. Option A lacks a control group for comparison. Option C only uses one participant, which is not enough to draw generalizable conclusions. Option D does not have a control group and the order of exposure is reversed, which may affect the results. In summary, choice B is the most appropriate as it includes a control group, clear exposure to the variable of interest, and enables comparison between the two groups.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Stamen. The stamen is the male reproductive organ of a flower, producing pollen containing male gametes. The pistil, stigma, and style are all parts of the female reproductive system, involved in receiving pollen and supporting the development of seeds. Therefore, the stamen is of a different "gender" than the others, making it the correct choice. Stigma and style are specifically part of the pistil, which is the female organ of the flower.