(HESI A2 Biology Exam Preparation Package)
HESI A2 Biology Practice Questions for Student Review
Central Themes in Biology
Key Concepts of Biology
Biology studies the interactions between organisms and their environment, focusing on how
these relationships affect survival and reproduction.
The structure and function of biological systems are interconnected; for example, the
aerodynamic shape of a bird's wing enhances its ability to fly, illustrating the principle of form
following function.
Ontogeny refers to the development of an organism from fertilization to maturity, highlighting
the importance of developmental biology in understanding life cycles.
Heredity involves the transmission of genetic information from parents to offspring, which is
crucial for understanding evolution and population dynamics.
Examples of Biological Structures
The cell membrane acts as a barrier for plant cells, regulating the movement of substances in and
out, similar to how a door controls access to a house.
Chloroplasts are essential for photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy,
while the cell wall provides structural support and protection.
The xylem is responsible for water transport in plants, showcasing the specialization of plant
tissues for specific functions.
, Cellular Processes and Structures
Cellular Respiration
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert glucose into ATP, the energy currency
of the cell, primarily through aerobic respiration in the presence of oxygen.
Glycolysis is the first step in respiration, occurring in the cytoplasm, where glucose is broken
down into pyruvate, yielding a small amount of ATP.
The Krebs cycle takes place in the mitochondria, producing electron carriers that feed into the
electron transport chain, ultimately generating the majority of ATP.
Anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen, leading to less efficient ATP production
and the formation of byproducts like lactic acid.
Cell Cycle and Division
The cell cycle consists of several phases, including G1 (growth), S (DNA synthesis), G2
(preparation for mitosis), and M (mitosis).
Interphase is crucial for cell growth and preparation for division, where the cell increases in mass
and duplicates its organelles.
The S phase is specifically where DNA is replicated, ensuring that each daughter cell receives an
identical set of chromosomes.
Genetics and Evolution
Genetic Terminology
Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype describes the observable
traits, influenced by both genetics and environment.
Alleles are different forms of a gene that can result in variations in traits, such as flower color in
plants.
, The concept of diploid (2n) and haploid (n) is essential in understanding the chromosome
number in organisms, with diploid cells containing two sets of chromosomes.
Classification of Organisms
Organisms are classified into hierarchical categories: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order,
family, genus, and species, with species being the most specific.
Eukaryotic cells, which contain a nucleus, are the building blocks of complex organisms,
including animals and plants, while prokaryotic cells are simpler and lack a nucleus.
Viruses are categorized based on their structure, type of nucleic acid, and presence of an outer
envelope, illustrating the diversity of life forms.
, HESI A2 BIOLOGY
HESI A2 BIOLOGY
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_49048d
1. kingdom largest and most inclusive category
2. species most restrictive category
3. hierarchic organi- kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genius, species
zational system
4. steps to an exper- 1. observation
iment 2. hypothesis
3. experiment
4. conclusion
5. observation data is observed and recorded/ previous data is studied
6. hypothesis a statement or explanation of certain events or happenings
7. experiment repeatable procedure of gathering data to support or refute the hypothesis
8. conclusion where the data and its significance are fully explained
9. aqueous water based
10. water molecule two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom
consists of
11. most significant the polarity of its bonds that allows for hydrogen bonding between molecules
aspect of water is
12. specific heat the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of 1 gram of that molecule
1 degree celsius
13. water has high the extent of hydrogen bonding between water molecules, which allows waters to
specific heat due resist shifts in temperature (ability of oceans or large bodies of water to stabilize
to climates)
HESI A2 Biology Practice Questions for Student Review
Central Themes in Biology
Key Concepts of Biology
Biology studies the interactions between organisms and their environment, focusing on how
these relationships affect survival and reproduction.
The structure and function of biological systems are interconnected; for example, the
aerodynamic shape of a bird's wing enhances its ability to fly, illustrating the principle of form
following function.
Ontogeny refers to the development of an organism from fertilization to maturity, highlighting
the importance of developmental biology in understanding life cycles.
Heredity involves the transmission of genetic information from parents to offspring, which is
crucial for understanding evolution and population dynamics.
Examples of Biological Structures
The cell membrane acts as a barrier for plant cells, regulating the movement of substances in and
out, similar to how a door controls access to a house.
Chloroplasts are essential for photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy,
while the cell wall provides structural support and protection.
The xylem is responsible for water transport in plants, showcasing the specialization of plant
tissues for specific functions.
, Cellular Processes and Structures
Cellular Respiration
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert glucose into ATP, the energy currency
of the cell, primarily through aerobic respiration in the presence of oxygen.
Glycolysis is the first step in respiration, occurring in the cytoplasm, where glucose is broken
down into pyruvate, yielding a small amount of ATP.
The Krebs cycle takes place in the mitochondria, producing electron carriers that feed into the
electron transport chain, ultimately generating the majority of ATP.
Anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen, leading to less efficient ATP production
and the formation of byproducts like lactic acid.
Cell Cycle and Division
The cell cycle consists of several phases, including G1 (growth), S (DNA synthesis), G2
(preparation for mitosis), and M (mitosis).
Interphase is crucial for cell growth and preparation for division, where the cell increases in mass
and duplicates its organelles.
The S phase is specifically where DNA is replicated, ensuring that each daughter cell receives an
identical set of chromosomes.
Genetics and Evolution
Genetic Terminology
Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype describes the observable
traits, influenced by both genetics and environment.
Alleles are different forms of a gene that can result in variations in traits, such as flower color in
plants.
, The concept of diploid (2n) and haploid (n) is essential in understanding the chromosome
number in organisms, with diploid cells containing two sets of chromosomes.
Classification of Organisms
Organisms are classified into hierarchical categories: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order,
family, genus, and species, with species being the most specific.
Eukaryotic cells, which contain a nucleus, are the building blocks of complex organisms,
including animals and plants, while prokaryotic cells are simpler and lack a nucleus.
Viruses are categorized based on their structure, type of nucleic acid, and presence of an outer
envelope, illustrating the diversity of life forms.
, HESI A2 BIOLOGY
HESI A2 BIOLOGY
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_49048d
1. kingdom largest and most inclusive category
2. species most restrictive category
3. hierarchic organi- kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genius, species
zational system
4. steps to an exper- 1. observation
iment 2. hypothesis
3. experiment
4. conclusion
5. observation data is observed and recorded/ previous data is studied
6. hypothesis a statement or explanation of certain events or happenings
7. experiment repeatable procedure of gathering data to support or refute the hypothesis
8. conclusion where the data and its significance are fully explained
9. aqueous water based
10. water molecule two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom
consists of
11. most significant the polarity of its bonds that allows for hydrogen bonding between molecules
aspect of water is
12. specific heat the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of 1 gram of that molecule
1 degree celsius
13. water has high the extent of hydrogen bonding between water molecules, which allows waters to
specific heat due resist shifts in temperature (ability of oceans or large bodies of water to stabilize
to climates)
