1|Page
HESI A2 BIOLOGY TEST BANK 2026-
2027 | 150 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
EXPLAINED RATIONALES | CELL
BIOLOGY, GENETICS, PHOTOSYNTHESIS,
HUMAN BODY SYSTEMS | PASS NURSING
ENTRANCE EXAM
Master the Biology section with 150 HESI A2 practice questions
covering cell biology, organelles, cellular respiration,
photosynthesis, DNA structure, protein synthesis, genetics,
evolution, ecology, and human body systems. Each question
includes a detailed rationale explaining the biological concept,
why the correct answer is right, and why other options are
incorrect. Updated for the 2026-2027 exam blueprint. Essential
for nursing students who need a solid foundation in biology.
Includes all topics tested on the HESI A2 entrance exam
including mitosis, meiosis, enzymes, metabolism, and ecological
principles. Perfect for self-study or group review. Pass your HESI
A2 biology section with this comprehensive practice test bank.
,2|Page
1. BIOLOGY
Which organelle is known as the "powerhouse of the cell" because it produces ATP
through cellular respiration?
A) Ribosome
B) Golgi apparatus
C) Mitochondrion
D) Endoplasmic reticulum
Answer: C) Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria are responsible for producing ATP via oxidative
phosphorylation. Ribosomes synthesize proteins, the Golgi modifies and packages
proteins, and the ER synthesizes lipids and proteins.
2. BIOLOGY
Which of the following is the basic structural and functional unit of all living
organisms?
A) Atom
B) Molecule
C) Cell
D) Tissue
Answer: C) Cell
Rationale: The cell is the smallest unit that can carry out all life processes. Atoms and
molecules are not living, and tissues are groups of cells.
3. BIOLOGY
What is the function of ribosomes?
A) Lipid synthesis
B) Protein synthesis
C) Energy production
D) Waste breakdown
Answer: B) Protein synthesis
Rationale: Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis. Lipid synthesis occurs in the
smooth ER, energy production in mitochondria, and waste breakdown in lysosomes.
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4. BIOLOGY
Which organelle is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for
secretion?
A) Nucleus
B) Rough ER
C) Golgi apparatus
D) Lysosome
Answer: C) Golgi apparatus
Rationale: The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids into
vesicles. The nucleus contains DNA, the rough ER synthesizes proteins, and lysosomes
break down waste.
5. BIOLOGY
What is the primary function of the cell membrane?
A) To produce energy
B) To control what enters and leaves the cell
C) To store genetic information
D) To synthesize proteins
Answer: B) To control what enters and leaves the cell
Rationale: The cell membrane is selectively permeable, regulating the passage of
substances. Energy is produced in mitochondria, genetic information is in the nucleus,
and proteins are synthesized by ribosomes.
6. BIOLOGY
Which of the following is a prokaryotic cell?
A) Human liver cell
B) Plant cell
C) Bacteria
D) Fungus
, 4|Page
Answer: C) Bacteria
Rationale: Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Bacteria are prokaryotes. Human, plant, and fungal cells are eukaryotic.
7. BIOLOGY
What is the process by which cells divide to produce two genetically identical
daughter cells?
A) Meiosis
B) Mitosis
C) Binary fission
D) Budding
Answer: B) Mitosis
Rationale: Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells for growth
and repair. Meiosis produces haploid gametes, binary fission is bacterial division, and
budding is a form of asexual reproduction.
8. BIOLOGY
Which organelle contains the cell's genetic material?
A) Ribosome
B) Nucleus
C) Mitochondrion
D) Vacuole
Answer: B) Nucleus
Rationale: The nucleus contains DNA, the cell's genetic material. Ribosomes synthesize
proteins, mitochondria produce energy, and vacuoles store substances.
9. BIOLOGY
What is the function of lysosomes?
A) Protein synthesis
B) Intracellular digestion and waste breakdown
HESI A2 BIOLOGY TEST BANK 2026-
2027 | 150 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
EXPLAINED RATIONALES | CELL
BIOLOGY, GENETICS, PHOTOSYNTHESIS,
HUMAN BODY SYSTEMS | PASS NURSING
ENTRANCE EXAM
Master the Biology section with 150 HESI A2 practice questions
covering cell biology, organelles, cellular respiration,
photosynthesis, DNA structure, protein synthesis, genetics,
evolution, ecology, and human body systems. Each question
includes a detailed rationale explaining the biological concept,
why the correct answer is right, and why other options are
incorrect. Updated for the 2026-2027 exam blueprint. Essential
for nursing students who need a solid foundation in biology.
Includes all topics tested on the HESI A2 entrance exam
including mitosis, meiosis, enzymes, metabolism, and ecological
principles. Perfect for self-study or group review. Pass your HESI
A2 biology section with this comprehensive practice test bank.
,2|Page
1. BIOLOGY
Which organelle is known as the "powerhouse of the cell" because it produces ATP
through cellular respiration?
A) Ribosome
B) Golgi apparatus
C) Mitochondrion
D) Endoplasmic reticulum
Answer: C) Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria are responsible for producing ATP via oxidative
phosphorylation. Ribosomes synthesize proteins, the Golgi modifies and packages
proteins, and the ER synthesizes lipids and proteins.
2. BIOLOGY
Which of the following is the basic structural and functional unit of all living
organisms?
A) Atom
B) Molecule
C) Cell
D) Tissue
Answer: C) Cell
Rationale: The cell is the smallest unit that can carry out all life processes. Atoms and
molecules are not living, and tissues are groups of cells.
3. BIOLOGY
What is the function of ribosomes?
A) Lipid synthesis
B) Protein synthesis
C) Energy production
D) Waste breakdown
Answer: B) Protein synthesis
Rationale: Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis. Lipid synthesis occurs in the
smooth ER, energy production in mitochondria, and waste breakdown in lysosomes.
,3|Page
4. BIOLOGY
Which organelle is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for
secretion?
A) Nucleus
B) Rough ER
C) Golgi apparatus
D) Lysosome
Answer: C) Golgi apparatus
Rationale: The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids into
vesicles. The nucleus contains DNA, the rough ER synthesizes proteins, and lysosomes
break down waste.
5. BIOLOGY
What is the primary function of the cell membrane?
A) To produce energy
B) To control what enters and leaves the cell
C) To store genetic information
D) To synthesize proteins
Answer: B) To control what enters and leaves the cell
Rationale: The cell membrane is selectively permeable, regulating the passage of
substances. Energy is produced in mitochondria, genetic information is in the nucleus,
and proteins are synthesized by ribosomes.
6. BIOLOGY
Which of the following is a prokaryotic cell?
A) Human liver cell
B) Plant cell
C) Bacteria
D) Fungus
, 4|Page
Answer: C) Bacteria
Rationale: Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Bacteria are prokaryotes. Human, plant, and fungal cells are eukaryotic.
7. BIOLOGY
What is the process by which cells divide to produce two genetically identical
daughter cells?
A) Meiosis
B) Mitosis
C) Binary fission
D) Budding
Answer: B) Mitosis
Rationale: Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells for growth
and repair. Meiosis produces haploid gametes, binary fission is bacterial division, and
budding is a form of asexual reproduction.
8. BIOLOGY
Which organelle contains the cell's genetic material?
A) Ribosome
B) Nucleus
C) Mitochondrion
D) Vacuole
Answer: B) Nucleus
Rationale: The nucleus contains DNA, the cell's genetic material. Ribosomes synthesize
proteins, mitochondria produce energy, and vacuoles store substances.
9. BIOLOGY
What is the function of lysosomes?
A) Protein synthesis
B) Intracellular digestion and waste breakdown
