HESI A2 Entrance Exam Comprehensive Study
Guide & Practice Questions 2026/2027 – Verified
Q&As with Detailed Rationales (Test Bank Bundle -
115 Questions)
---
**QUESTION 1:**
Which of the following is an example of active transport in the cell?
A) Osmosis of water across the membrane
B) Diffusion of oxygen from high to low concentration
C) Movement of sodium against its concentration gradient
D) Facilitated diffusion of glucose via a carrier protein
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Movement of sodium against its concentration gradient
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Active transport requires energy (ATP) to move molecules against their
concentration gradient, as in the sodium-potassium pump. Osmosis (A) and diffusion (B) are passive
processes. Facilitated diffusion (D) is also passive, requiring no energy.
---
**QUESTION 2:**
The organelle responsible for protein synthesis is the:
A) Ribosome
B) Mitochondrion
C) Golgi apparatus
D) Nucleus
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** A) Ribosome
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Ribosomes are the sites of translation, where mRNA is used to
synthesize proteins. Mitochondria (B) produce ATP. The Golgi apparatus (C) modifies and packages
proteins. The nucleus (D) contains DNA and directs transcription.
,---
**QUESTION 3:**
Which of the following is not a function of the skeletal system?
A) Production of blood cells
B) Protection of internal organs
C) Regulation of body temperature
D) Storage of calcium and phosphorus
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Regulation of body temperature
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Regulation of body temperature is a function of the skin and circulatory
system, not the skeletal system. Hematopoiesis (A), protection (B), and mineral storage (D) are primary
skeletal functions.
---
**QUESTION 4:**
Which chamber of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body?
A) Left atrium
B) Left ventricle
C) Right atrium
D) Right ventricle
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Right atrium
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the superior and
inferior vena cava. The left atrium (A) receives oxygenated blood from the lungs. Ventricles (B, D) pump
blood out of the heart.
---
**QUESTION 5:**
The primary function of platelets is:
A) Oxygen transport
B) Immune defense
,C) Blood clotting
D) Carbon dioxide transport
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Blood clotting
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Platelets (thrombocytes) are essential for hemostasis and blood clotting
via aggregation and plug formation. Oxygen transport (A) and CO2 transport (D) are functions of
erythrocytes. Immune defense (B) is the role of leukocytes.
---
**QUESTION 6:**
Which part of the brain controls balance and coordination?
A) Cerebrum
B) Cerebellum
C) Medulla oblongata
D) Hypothalamus
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Cerebellum
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The cerebellum is responsible for balance, posture, and fine motor
coordination. The cerebrum (A) controls higher functions. The medulla (C) controls autonomic functions.
The hypothalamus (D) regulates homeostasis.
---
**QUESTION 7:**
What is the normal pH range of human blood?
A) 7.15-7.25
B) 7.35-7.45
C) 7.45-7.55
D) 7.55-7.65
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) 7.35-7.45
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The normal arterial blood pH range is 7.35-7.45, maintained by buffers
and respiratory/renal systems. Range A (7.15-7.25) indicates acidosis. Range C/D are alkalemic.
, ---
**QUESTION 8:**
Which of the following is a function of the large intestine?
A) Absorption of nutrients
B) Absorption of water and electrolytes
C) Production of bile
D) Secretion of digestive enzymes
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Absorption of water and electrolytes
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The large intestine absorbs water, electrolytes, and vitamins while
forming feces. Nutrient absorption (A) occurs in the small intestine. Bile production (C) is the liver's
function. Enzymes (D) are secreted by the pancreas and small intestine.
---
**QUESTION 9:**
What type of tissue is blood classified as?
A) Epithelial tissue
B) Connective tissue
C) Muscle tissue
D) Nervous tissue
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Connective tissue
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Blood is a specialized connective tissue with a fluid matrix (plasma) and
formed elements. It is not epithelial (A), muscle (C), or nervous (D) tissue.
---
**QUESTION 10:**
Which structure is the functional unit of the kidney?
A) Nephron
B) Glomerulus
C) Bowman's capsule
D) Loop of Henle
Guide & Practice Questions 2026/2027 – Verified
Q&As with Detailed Rationales (Test Bank Bundle -
115 Questions)
---
**QUESTION 1:**
Which of the following is an example of active transport in the cell?
A) Osmosis of water across the membrane
B) Diffusion of oxygen from high to low concentration
C) Movement of sodium against its concentration gradient
D) Facilitated diffusion of glucose via a carrier protein
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Movement of sodium against its concentration gradient
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Active transport requires energy (ATP) to move molecules against their
concentration gradient, as in the sodium-potassium pump. Osmosis (A) and diffusion (B) are passive
processes. Facilitated diffusion (D) is also passive, requiring no energy.
---
**QUESTION 2:**
The organelle responsible for protein synthesis is the:
A) Ribosome
B) Mitochondrion
C) Golgi apparatus
D) Nucleus
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** A) Ribosome
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Ribosomes are the sites of translation, where mRNA is used to
synthesize proteins. Mitochondria (B) produce ATP. The Golgi apparatus (C) modifies and packages
proteins. The nucleus (D) contains DNA and directs transcription.
,---
**QUESTION 3:**
Which of the following is not a function of the skeletal system?
A) Production of blood cells
B) Protection of internal organs
C) Regulation of body temperature
D) Storage of calcium and phosphorus
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Regulation of body temperature
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Regulation of body temperature is a function of the skin and circulatory
system, not the skeletal system. Hematopoiesis (A), protection (B), and mineral storage (D) are primary
skeletal functions.
---
**QUESTION 4:**
Which chamber of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body?
A) Left atrium
B) Left ventricle
C) Right atrium
D) Right ventricle
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Right atrium
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the superior and
inferior vena cava. The left atrium (A) receives oxygenated blood from the lungs. Ventricles (B, D) pump
blood out of the heart.
---
**QUESTION 5:**
The primary function of platelets is:
A) Oxygen transport
B) Immune defense
,C) Blood clotting
D) Carbon dioxide transport
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Blood clotting
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Platelets (thrombocytes) are essential for hemostasis and blood clotting
via aggregation and plug formation. Oxygen transport (A) and CO2 transport (D) are functions of
erythrocytes. Immune defense (B) is the role of leukocytes.
---
**QUESTION 6:**
Which part of the brain controls balance and coordination?
A) Cerebrum
B) Cerebellum
C) Medulla oblongata
D) Hypothalamus
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Cerebellum
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The cerebellum is responsible for balance, posture, and fine motor
coordination. The cerebrum (A) controls higher functions. The medulla (C) controls autonomic functions.
The hypothalamus (D) regulates homeostasis.
---
**QUESTION 7:**
What is the normal pH range of human blood?
A) 7.15-7.25
B) 7.35-7.45
C) 7.45-7.55
D) 7.55-7.65
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) 7.35-7.45
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The normal arterial blood pH range is 7.35-7.45, maintained by buffers
and respiratory/renal systems. Range A (7.15-7.25) indicates acidosis. Range C/D are alkalemic.
, ---
**QUESTION 8:**
Which of the following is a function of the large intestine?
A) Absorption of nutrients
B) Absorption of water and electrolytes
C) Production of bile
D) Secretion of digestive enzymes
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Absorption of water and electrolytes
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The large intestine absorbs water, electrolytes, and vitamins while
forming feces. Nutrient absorption (A) occurs in the small intestine. Bile production (C) is the liver's
function. Enzymes (D) are secreted by the pancreas and small intestine.
---
**QUESTION 9:**
What type of tissue is blood classified as?
A) Epithelial tissue
B) Connective tissue
C) Muscle tissue
D) Nervous tissue
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Connective tissue
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Blood is a specialized connective tissue with a fluid matrix (plasma) and
formed elements. It is not epithelial (A), muscle (C), or nervous (D) tissue.
---
**QUESTION 10:**
Which structure is the functional unit of the kidney?
A) Nephron
B) Glomerulus
C) Bowman's capsule
D) Loop of Henle
