Biology HESI A2 2024

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because chlorophyll appears green due to its absorption spectrum. It absorbs light most efficiently in the blue and red regions of the spectrum, while reflecting or transmitting green light. This selective absorption of light wavelengths results in chlorophyll appearing green to our eyes. Choice B is incorrect because chlorophyll does not primarily absorb green light. Choice C is incorrect as chlorophyll actually does absorb green light, just not as efficiently as blue and red light. Choice D is incorrect because chlorophyll primarily absorbs red and blue light, not red light alone.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because yeast carries out fermentation, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide. During fermentation, yeast breaks down sugars in the dough into ethanol and carbon dioxide gas. The carbon dioxide gas gets trapped in the dough, causing it to rise. Choice A is incorrect because yeast does not engage in photosynthesis. Choice B is incorrect because yeast does not carry out photosynthesis at all. Choice D is incorrect because yeast primarily produces carbon dioxide through fermentation, not aerobic respiration.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: genus; species. "Felis" is the genus and "catus" is the species in the scientific name Felis catus. Genus is a broader classification that includes closely related species, while species is the most specific classification level. Kingdom (choice A) is too broad, family (choice A) is at a higher level than species, order (choice B) is too specific, subspecies (choice B) is not part of the scientific name, phylum (choice C) is too broad, and class (choice C) is a higher classification level than species.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Both are prokaryotes. Rationale: 1. Bacteria and blue-green algae lack a true nucleus, membrane-bound organelles, and have a simpler cellular structure, indicating they are prokaryotes. 2. Prokaryotes are distinct from eukaryotes, which have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. 3. Gymnosperms (choice A) are seed-producing plants, not related to bacteria or blue-green algae. 4. Autotrophs (choice C) can include plants, algae, and some bacteria, but not all bacteria are autotrophs. 5. Pathogens (choice D) are disease-causing agents, not a characteristic that defines the classification of bacteria and blue-green algae.

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.