HESI A2 SCIENCE CRAM PLAN EXAM
2022 UPDATE
Paulwesleyfiles
Biology
Chemistry
Anatomy & physiology
Each question is well
... [Show More] answered accompanied with rationales after every test .
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Directions: Select the best answer choice for each question and mark it on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following would you likely see on messenger RNA (mRNA), but not on DNA?
A. Nucleic acids
B. Amino acids
C. Cytosine
D. Uracil
2. What is the name of the process by which molecules move from a high concentration gradient to a lower concentration gradient?
A. Osmosis
B. Diffusion
C. Solvency
D. Adhesion
3. If a protein were catabolized, what would you likely find as a result of the reaction?
A. Fatty acids
B. Nucleic acids
C. Amino acids
D. Glucose
4. What do we call outward expressions of genetic traits, such as hair color and eye color?
A. Phenotype
B. Allele combinations
C. Genotype
D. Mutations
5. In regards to the classification of life on Earth (taxonomy), which of the following is the broadest category?
A. Order
B. Species
C. Phylum
D. Genus
6. A cell that is specialized in creating proteins would contain plenty of which organelle?
A. Mitochondria
B. Ribosomes
C. Golgi apparatus
D. DNA
7. When a cell reproduces and both daughter cells are identical to the mother cell, what type of cell reproduction would we call this?
A. Sexual reproduction
B. Gamete creation
C. Binary fission
D. Meiosis
8. How do prokaryotic organisms differ from eukaryotic organisms?
A. Prokaryotic organisms’ cells contain a nucleus with DNA.
B. Prokaryotic organisms reproduce sexually.
C. Prokaryotic organisms’ cells do not have a nucleus.
D. Prokaryotic organisms are likely animals or plants.
9. In which of the following scenarios does an organism absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen?
A. A plant performing photosynthesis
B. An animal performing anaerobic respiration
C. An animal performing glycolysis
D. A plant performing fermentation
10. The scientific method is an important part of our understanding of life and biology in general. Which of the following is the final step in this process?
A. Observations
B. Experiments
C. Questions
D. Conclusions
11. Humans have 46 chromosomes. How many chromosomes exist in the gametes of a human?
A. 46
B. 23
C. 18
D. 9
12. Which of the following describes water’s natural ability to stick to itself?
A. Adhesion
B. Cohesion
C. High specific heat
D. Polarity
13. In what type of molecule would fatty acids likely reside?
A. Proteins
B. DNA
C. Complex sugars
D. Lipids
14. Protein molecules are vital to life. DNA carries the information to create a protein. What molecule assists in this process to transport the information?
A. Glucose
B. mRNA
C. DNA polymerase
D. Vacuoles
15. Moving large molecules through a cell membrane from a low concentration to a high concentration requires specialized transportation. Which molecule is required for this transportation to occur?
A. ADP
B. ATP
C. NADH
D. Pyruvate
Answer Key
1. D
2. B
3. C
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. C
8. C
9. A
10. D
11. B
12. B
13. D
14. B
15. B
Answer Explanations
1. D. The bases for DNA and RNA are the same, with the exception of uracil in RNA, choice D. Uracil takes the place of thymine, which exists on DNA. Nucleic acids (choice A) exist on both RNA and DNA; the “NA” stands for nucleic acids. Amino acids (choice B) are the building blocks for proteins. Cytosine (choice C) exists on both RNA and DNA.
2. B. Diffusion, simply put, is when things move from high to low concentration, choice B. That “thing” could really be anything. If water moves in this nature, you can call it diffusion, but a more accurate term would be osmosis. This question did not reference the movement of water; if it had, osmosis (choice A) would have been the best answer. Solvency (choice C) refers to something dissolving in
water. Water may act as an adhesive (choice D) when it sticks to other types of molecules.
3. C. If you catabolize, or break down, a molecule, you will likely find the building blocks of that molecule; in the case of a protein, you will find amino acids, choice C. Fatty acids (choice A) are one of the building blocks of lipids. Nucleic acids (choice B) are the building blocks for DNA and RNA. Glucose (choice D) is a building block for larger more complex sugars, such as starch and cellulose.
4. A. Outward expressions of genetic traits, such as hair color and eye color, are phenotypes of an organism, choice A. Any trait that is observable is considered a phenotype. Genotype (choice C) is the genetic composition of the organism; it CANNOT be observed. Allele combinations (choice B) involve heterozygous or homozygous sets. Mutations (choice D) describe a change in the genetic make-up of the organism in general.
5. C. Kingdom is the broadest or most inclusive classification available for life; however, it is not among the answer choices. The second-most broad classification is phylum, choice C. The other answer choices are more specific than phylum. The full classification hierarchy is as follows:
kingdom → phylum → class → order → family → genus → species
6. B. Ribosomes, choice B, are largely responsible for the creation of proteins. Mitochondria (choice A) create energy in the form of ATP. A Golgi apparatus (choice C) is a transportation hub, sending proteins throughout the cell. DNA (choice D) carries genetic material. Understanding what individual organelles do in the cell is important. Be sure to have a solid understanding before taking the HESI A2.
7. C. This type of reproduction where the daughter cells are identical to the mother cell is called binary fission, choice C, or mitosis. Both make sense. In sexual reproduction (choice A), such as meiosis (choice D), daughter cells contain half of the information of the mother cell (haploid). Gamete creation (choice B) is another way of saying meiosis.
8. C. The hallmark difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms is that prokaryotic organisms’ cells do not have a nucleus, choice C, or membrane-bound organelles. All of the other answer choices describe eukaryotic cells. Complex multicellular organisms,
such as plants and animals, are all eukaryotic. Prokaryotic organisms are either bacteria or archaea.
9. A. The biological reaction of photosynthesis requires water and carbon dioxide. When light is added, the reaction creates glucose and oxygen. Therefore, choice A, a plant performing photosynthesis, is correct. An animal performing anaerobic respiration (choice B) would not release oxygen; in fact, the reaction occurs in the absence of oxygen. Glycolysis (choice C) is the catabolism of glucose into pyruvate. Fermentation (choice D) creates lactic acid and/or ethanol as a byproduct. Alcohol fermentation is more common in organisms (yeast).
10. D. Drawing conclusions, choice D, is the final step in the scientific process. Upon conclusions, others should be able to follow the exact experiment and come to the exact same conclusions. If this does not happen, the experiment may be flawed. Identifying a question (choice C) is the first step, followed by a hypothesis, experiments (choice B), observations (choice A), and conclusions.
11. B. Gametes are haploid cells. If humans have 46 chromosomes, a gamete contains 23 chromosomes, choice B (haploid). Haploid simply means half, as many organisms have different amounts of chromosomes. For example, a chicken has 78 chromosomes, so its gametes would contain 39 chromosomes. The other answer choices do not reflect a genetic possibility in humans.
12. B. Cohesion, choice B, describes water’s affinity for sticking to itself, whereas adhesion (choice A) describes the ability to stick to other things. Water has a high specific heat (choice C), meaning it takes more energy to increase the temperature of water compared to that of other substances. Think about large bodies of water like the Great Lakes. It takes a very long time and large environmental input to change the lakes’ temperatures. Water’s polarity (choice D) is best described by the types of bonds it creates (covalent).
13. D. Make sure to understand macromolecules and the components that created them. Fatty acids reside in fats/lipids, choice D. Proteins (choice A) are made up of amino acids. DNA (choice B) is made up of nucleic acids. Complex sugars (choice C) are made up of glucose.
14. B. DNA cannot leave the nucleus, so the information carried on it must be converted into another form. This is where RNA comes in. DNA translates into mRNA (messenger RNA), choice B. The mRNA leaves the nucleus and arrives at the ribosomes to translate the message and create proteins. Glucose (choice A) and vacuoles (choice
D) do not carry genetic information. DNA polymerase (choice C) is an enzyme that aids in the replication of DNA itself, not in the transportation of information.
15. B. Active transport requires energy to move large molecules across the cell membrane. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the source of this energy, choice B. Smaller molecules and water can move by diffusion and osmosis. Active transport is also commonly required when pushing molecules against the gradient, such as a move from low to high concentration. ADP (choice A) is the inactivated version of ATP; it needs cellular respiration to convert back to ATP. NADH (choice C) and pyruvate (choice D) are utilized in the citric acid cycle to create more ATP.
This 15-question diagnostic test allows for a sense of personal weakness or strength in the chemistry area of the HESI A2. Remember, 70%–80% is the goal for each test area.
15 Questions
Directions: Select the best answer choice for each question and mark it on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Carbon is one of the most important elements for life. It is found in countless compounds, from the food you eat to the air you exhale from your lungs. How many protons does carbon have? (Utilize the periodic table on p. 158.)
A. 6
B. 12
C. 14
D. 22
2. The reaction shown below is the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen. By dropping a battery into water, you can observe this reaction, called electrolysis of water. The bubbling is a result of the released hydrogen atoms.
2 H20 → 2H2 (g) + O2(g)
What type of reaction is this?
A. Synthesis
B. Decomposition
C. Combustion
D. Single replacement
3. Which of the following numbers displayed using scientific notation reflects the number 480,000?
A. 4.8 × 10–5
B. 4.8 × 105
C. 0.48 × 106
D. 480 × 104
4. There are roughly 20 amino acids that are crucial to human life. In which of the following would you likely find amino acids?
A. DNA
B. Albumin
C. Starch
D. Cholesterol
5. If a healthcare worker were to administer 5,000 mcg of a medication, which of the following values is a correct conversion of the dose of medication?
A. 10 kg
B. 1 g
C. 1 mg
D. 5 mg
6. Which of the following combinations of traits correctly identifies an acid?
A. Has increased levels of hydrogen and a pH less than 7
B. Has decreased levels of hydrogen and a pH less than 7
C. Has increased levels of hydrogen and a pH greater than 7
D. Has decreased levels of hydrogen and a pH greater than 7
7. What is the oxidation state of the carbon atom in methane, CH4?
A. −4
B. −2
C. +2
D. +4
8. At what degree Celsius does water freeze?
A. −32
B. 0
C. 32
D. 98.6
9. While useful for many things in the human body, cholesterol can also be harmful and lead to plaque build-up in arteries and veins. What type of molecule is cholesterol?
A. Lipid
B. Polysaccharide
C. Enzyme
D. Amino acid
10. A pentose, a 5-carbon chain, is commonly found in what type of compound?
A. Starch
B. Glycerol
C. Amino acids
D. All carbon-containing molecules
11. Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope commonly used for carbon dating. How many neutrons does carbon-14 have?
A. 0
B. 6
C. 8
D. 14
12. Which of the following bonds is weakest?
A. Ionic
B. Covalent
C. Dipole interactions
D. Double
13. Which of the following types of matter have items very tightly packed together?
A. Gases
B. Plasma
C. Liquids
D. Solids
14. Sodium chloride, a common solution given intravenously (IV) to replenish a patient’s fluids, is given the name “solution” because of what trait?
A. It is a heterogeneous mixture.
B. It is a homogeneous mixture.
C. The particles in the mixture do not spread out evenly.
D. “Solution” commonly describes a suspension.
15. If a disaccharide is split into two separate molecules, what are these molecules called?
A. Monosaccharide
B. Polysaccharide
C. Starch
D. Sucrose
Answer Key
1. A
2. B
3. B
4. B
5. D
6. A
7. A
8. B
9. A
10. A
11. C
12. C
13. D
14. B
15. A
Answer Explanations
1. A. The proton and electron number of any given element is the atomic number on the periodic table. The atomic number of carbon is 6; therefore, it contains 6 protons, choice A, and 6 electrons. This allows the neutral charge. The other answer choices do not reflect this. (Note: Atoms do not always contain the same number of electrons and protons, although this state is common.)
2. B. Decomposition, choice B, describes the breakdown of a molecule into smaller parts, in this case to hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The reaction shown in the question is already balanced. As you can see, oxygen is shown as a product of O2. This is because oxygen, along
with hydrogen, nitrogen, and a few others, is a diatomic molecule.
Synthesis (choice A) is the building of a molecule from smaller parts; it’s the opposite of decomposition. Combustion (choice C) is the breakdown of hydrocarbons, like CH4 (methane) with added oxygen;
the products are carbon dioxide and water. A single replacement (choice D) would show the movement of one reactant by the other; think of it as the bumping of one component of the reaction for another.
3. B. The formula for scientific notation is C × 10n, where C is the coefficient and n is the exponent. To form the coefficient, take the number provided, 480,000, and move the decimal place until you have a number between 1 and 10. For 480,000, the coefficient is 4.8. The power of 10 indicates how many places you moved the decimal. In this case, you moved the decimal 5 places. Therefore, in scientific
notation, 480,000 is 4.8 × 105, choice B.
Because the decimal is moved 5 places to the left to form the coefficient, the exponent is positive. A negative exponent indicates that the decimal point was moved to the right to form the coefficient. Choice A, 4.8 × 10–5, is the scientific notation for 0.000048.
4. B. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Albumin, choice B, is the only protein among the answer choices. DNA (choice A) is a nucleic acid, commonly containing sugar, phosphates, and base pairs. Starch (choice C) is a complex carbohydrate. Cholesterol (choice D) is a type of lipid.
5. D. One microgram (mcg) equals 0.001 milligram (mg). Therefore, 5,000 mcg = 5 mg, choice D. Moving throughout the metric system can be difficult for those who are not well versed in using it. Every decimal space moved comes to 10. Microgram is to the negative 6th power. Milligram is to the negative 3rd power. In this example, the three zeros are dropped. Make sure you know the most commonly used conversions in chemistry and science listed in this book. The other answer choices do not reflect a correct conversion.
6. A. As hydrogen levels increase, a substance becomes more acidic. As hydrogen levels decrease, a substance becomes more basic. A pH of 7 is neutral. A pH less than 7 is acidic, and a pH above 7 is basic. Therefore, increased levels of hydrogen and a pH less than 7, choice A, indicate an acid.
7. A. For the sake of HESI A2, know that hydrogen will always have an oxidation number of +1. CH4 has four hydrogen atoms coming to a
positive charge of +4. Molecules must remain neutral; therefore, in this example, carbon has a negative charge of –4, choice A.
Finding the oxidation number can often be tricky because it depends on the molecule in question. Hydrogen always has a +1 charge.
Oxygen has a –2 charge. Chlorine has a –1 charge. Utilizing this common knowledge, the molecules provided can be worked out.
8. B. Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius, choice B (and at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, choice C). The question asks for the answer in Celsius, not Fahrenheit, so choice C is incorrect. Choice A, –32 degrees Celsius, does not reflect a commonly used degree. Choice D, 98.6, reflects a normal human body temperature in Fahrenheit.
9. A. Cholesterol is a type of lipid, choice A. A good trick for nomenclature is to recognize the suffix “sterol.” All sterols are a type of lipid. Cholesterol is important in creating the cell membrane of all eukaryotes. We call it a phospholipid bilayer. Polysaccharides (choice B) are a type of sugar. The word “saccharide” is actually derived from the Latin word for “sugar.” Enzymes (choice C) typically end with the suffix “ase,” such as amylase (a digestive enzyme). Amino acids (choice D) are the building blocks of proteins.
10. A. Pentoses are 5-carbon chain monosaccharides. They are found in sugars, such as starch, choice A, or cellulose. Glycerol (choice B) is a polyol compound found in lipids. Amino acids (choice C) are found in proteins; they do not contain pentoses. Carbon is found in all organic compounds, but that does not necessarily mean they are 5-carbon chain-containing compounds, eliminating choice D.
11. C. Carbon typically has 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons, with 4 of the electrons in the outer valence shell. In carbon-14, however, with 14 being the total mass of the atom, there are 8 neutrons, choice C. Electron mass is negligible and therefore does not influence the atomic mass. With that knowledge, remember any changes to atomic mass will be manipulated by neutron count. Essentially it creates a simple math problem: 14 (mass) – 6 (proton count) = 8 neutron count.
12. C. Generally speaking, the more electrons that are involved in a bond, the stronger the bond. Dipole interactions do not involve electrons in a bond. The interaction occurs when a negative side of a molecule interacts with a positive side of another, and so forth. Therefore, there is no actual bond in a dipole interaction and it is quite weak, choice C. Covalent bonds (choice B) are the strongest.
13. D. Solids, choice D, are the most tightly packed of all states of matter. The atoms in solids are typically arranged in a fixed shape and do not move. In liquids (choice C), atoms are fairly close together and freely move around. In gases (choice A), atoms are far apart. Plasma (choice B) is not “technically” a defined state of matter, although some consider it the fourth state of matter. Plasma is a very hot ionized gas. A good example of where stellar plasma could be found is the Sun.
14. B. Only a homogeneous mixture, choice B, could potentially be described as a solution. If a solution is of a water solvent, it is called an aqueous solution, such as the aqueous humor of the eyeball.
A heterogeneous mixture (choice A) is any mixture that is not uniform or completely dissolvable (e.g., oil and water). Particles that do not spread out evenly (choice C) would be a heterogeneous mixture as well as a suspension (choice D).
15. A. Nomenclature in chemistry typically has a basis in Latin—“mono” for one, “di” for two, “tri” for three, and so forth. A disaccharide contains two separate monosaccharides, choice A. An oligosaccharide contains anywhere between three and six monosaccharides. Polysaccharides (choice B) contain numerous monosaccharides. Starch (choice C) is a type of polysaccharide. Sucrose (choice D) is an example of a disaccharide.
This 15-question diagnostic test allows for a sense of personal weakness or strength in the anatomy and physiology area of the HESI A2. Remember, 70%–80% is the goal for each test area. [Show Less]