HESI A2 BIOLOGY 2026/2027
HESI A2 ADMISSION ASSESSMENT EXAM 210 ORIGINAL PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |
COMPREHENSIVE HESI A2 EXAM PREP FOR CHAMBERLAIN
UNIVERSITY
Section Topic Questions
1 Cell Structure & Function 1–30
2 Cellular Transport & Osmosis 31–55
3 Biochemistry & Macromolecules 56–85
4 Cellular Respiration & Photosynthesis 86–110
5 Cell Division & Genetics 111–145
6 Human Genetics & Heredity 146–170
7 Microbiology, Evolution & Ecology 171–190
8 Human Biology & Physiology 191–210
,SECTION 1 — CELL STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
Questions 1–30
1. Which organelle contains the genetic material that directs most
cellular activities?
A. Ribosome
B. Nucleus
C. Lysosome
D. Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: B — Nucleus
Rationale: The nucleus houses DNA and regulates gene expression and
many cellular activities.
2. Which structure is the primary site of protein synthesis?
A. Ribosome
B. Lysosome
C. Vacuole
D. Centriole
Correct Answer: A — Ribosome
Rationale: Ribosomes translate messenger RNA into polypeptide
chains.
3. Which organelle modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for
transport?
A. Nucleus
B. Mitochondrion
,C. Golgi apparatus
D. Peroxisome
Correct Answer: C — Golgi apparatus
Rationale: The Golgi modifies proteins and lipids and packages them
into vesicles.
4. Which organelle produces most ATP during aerobic cellular
respiration?
A. Chloroplast
B. Mitochondrion
C. Lysosome
D. Nucleolus
Correct Answer: B — Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria generate most cellular ATP through aerobic
respiration.
5. What is the primary function of the nucleolus?
A. ATP production
B. Lipid digestion
C. Ribosome assembly
D. DNA destruction
Correct Answer: C — Ribosome assembly
Rationale: The nucleolus synthesizes ribosomal RNA and assembles
ribosomal subunits.
, 6. Which organelle contains enzymes that digest cellular waste and
worn-out components?
A. Lysosome
B. Ribosome
C. Centrosome
D. Chloroplast
Correct Answer: A — Lysosome
Rationale: Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that break down
cellular materials.
7. Which cellular structure controls what enters and leaves the cell?
A. Cytoplasm
B. Plasma membrane
C. Nucleolus
D. Cytoskeleton
Correct Answer: B — Plasma membrane
Rationale: The plasma membrane provides selective permeability.
8. Which component of the plasma membrane helps regulate
membrane fluidity?
A. Cholesterol
B. DNA
C. Glycogen
D. RNA
HESI A2 ADMISSION ASSESSMENT EXAM 210 ORIGINAL PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |
COMPREHENSIVE HESI A2 EXAM PREP FOR CHAMBERLAIN
UNIVERSITY
Section Topic Questions
1 Cell Structure & Function 1–30
2 Cellular Transport & Osmosis 31–55
3 Biochemistry & Macromolecules 56–85
4 Cellular Respiration & Photosynthesis 86–110
5 Cell Division & Genetics 111–145
6 Human Genetics & Heredity 146–170
7 Microbiology, Evolution & Ecology 171–190
8 Human Biology & Physiology 191–210
,SECTION 1 — CELL STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
Questions 1–30
1. Which organelle contains the genetic material that directs most
cellular activities?
A. Ribosome
B. Nucleus
C. Lysosome
D. Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: B — Nucleus
Rationale: The nucleus houses DNA and regulates gene expression and
many cellular activities.
2. Which structure is the primary site of protein synthesis?
A. Ribosome
B. Lysosome
C. Vacuole
D. Centriole
Correct Answer: A — Ribosome
Rationale: Ribosomes translate messenger RNA into polypeptide
chains.
3. Which organelle modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for
transport?
A. Nucleus
B. Mitochondrion
,C. Golgi apparatus
D. Peroxisome
Correct Answer: C — Golgi apparatus
Rationale: The Golgi modifies proteins and lipids and packages them
into vesicles.
4. Which organelle produces most ATP during aerobic cellular
respiration?
A. Chloroplast
B. Mitochondrion
C. Lysosome
D. Nucleolus
Correct Answer: B — Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria generate most cellular ATP through aerobic
respiration.
5. What is the primary function of the nucleolus?
A. ATP production
B. Lipid digestion
C. Ribosome assembly
D. DNA destruction
Correct Answer: C — Ribosome assembly
Rationale: The nucleolus synthesizes ribosomal RNA and assembles
ribosomal subunits.
, 6. Which organelle contains enzymes that digest cellular waste and
worn-out components?
A. Lysosome
B. Ribosome
C. Centrosome
D. Chloroplast
Correct Answer: A — Lysosome
Rationale: Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that break down
cellular materials.
7. Which cellular structure controls what enters and leaves the cell?
A. Cytoplasm
B. Plasma membrane
C. Nucleolus
D. Cytoskeleton
Correct Answer: B — Plasma membrane
Rationale: The plasma membrane provides selective permeability.
8. Which component of the plasma membrane helps regulate
membrane fluidity?
A. Cholesterol
B. DNA
C. Glycogen
D. RNA
