A+ VERIFIED
PRE-NURSING ADMISSIONS · OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
HESI A2 Biology 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
& Answers — Complete
Official Exam
A+ Verified Questions Full Rationales Verified Answers
A+ 4 100%
QUESTIONS SECTIONS RATIONALES
Complete coverage Core exam domains Every answer explained
WHAT THIS COVERS
01 Cell Structure & Function
02 Genetics, DNA & Cell Division
03 Metabolism & Energy
04 Human Body Systems & Biological Principles
ABOUT THIS ASSESSMENT
Build mastery in biology — from cellular structure and function,
mitosis and meiosis, and DNA/RNA to genetics, metabolism,
and the human body systems. This assessment targets application
and analysis skills required for the HESI A2 Biology section,
with full rationales for every answer.
PASSING SCORE LEVEL FORMAT
75% Entry-Level (Pre-Nursing Admissions) Application / Analysis
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM Page 1
, SECTION 1: Cell Structure & Function
Q1. A laboratory technician observes a cell under the microscope and notes a well-defined nucleus, multiple membrane-bound
organelles, and a plasma membrane. The technician correctly classifies this cell as belonging to which group?
A. Prokaryotic bacteria that lack membrane-bound organelles
B. Viral particles that consist only of nucleic acid and protein
C. Archaeal cells that thrive exclusively in extreme environments
D. Eukaryotic cells that contain a true nucleus and organelles
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Eukaryotic cells are defined by the presence of a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles. Prokaryotes lack these structures; viruses are acellular;
archaea are prokaryotic.
Q2. A researcher places red blood cells into a solution and observes that the cells swell and eventually burst. The solution
surrounding the cells is best described as:
A. Hypertonic relative to the intracellular fluid, causing water to leave the cells
B. Isotonic, producing no net movement of water
C. Hypotonic relative to the intracellular fluid, causing water to enter the cells
D. Saturated with solute so that osmosis cannot occur
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
In a hypotonic solution the extracellular fluid has lower solute concentration than the cytoplasm, so water enters by osmosis and the cells lyse.
Hypertonic solutions cause crenation; isotonic solutions produce no net change.
Q3. During an experiment on membrane transport, glucose moves into a cell against its concentration gradient using energy
derived from ATP. This process is an example of:
A. Active transport requiring a carrier protein and ATP hydrolysis
B. Simple diffusion through the phospholipid bilayer
C. Facilitated diffusion via a channel protein without energy input
D. Osmosis of water across a selectively permeable membrane
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Active transport moves solutes against their gradient and requires energy (ATP) and a membrane protein. Simple and facilitated diffusion are passive;
osmosis refers only to water movement.
Q4. A cell biologist is studying the organelle responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion. Which
organelle performs this function?
A. Mitochondrion that generates ATP through cellular respiration
B. Golgi apparatus that processes and packages proteins and lipids
C. Lysosome that digests cellular waste and foreign material
D. Ribosome that synthesizes polypeptide chains from mRNA
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The Golgi apparatus receives proteins from the rough ER, modifies them, and packages them into vesicles for secretion or delivery to other
organelles. Mitochondria produce ATP; lysosomes degrade material; ribosomes synthesize proteins.
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM · Page 2
PRE-NURSING ADMISSIONS · OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
HESI A2 Biology 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
& Answers — Complete
Official Exam
A+ Verified Questions Full Rationales Verified Answers
A+ 4 100%
QUESTIONS SECTIONS RATIONALES
Complete coverage Core exam domains Every answer explained
WHAT THIS COVERS
01 Cell Structure & Function
02 Genetics, DNA & Cell Division
03 Metabolism & Energy
04 Human Body Systems & Biological Principles
ABOUT THIS ASSESSMENT
Build mastery in biology — from cellular structure and function,
mitosis and meiosis, and DNA/RNA to genetics, metabolism,
and the human body systems. This assessment targets application
and analysis skills required for the HESI A2 Biology section,
with full rationales for every answer.
PASSING SCORE LEVEL FORMAT
75% Entry-Level (Pre-Nursing Admissions) Application / Analysis
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM Page 1
, SECTION 1: Cell Structure & Function
Q1. A laboratory technician observes a cell under the microscope and notes a well-defined nucleus, multiple membrane-bound
organelles, and a plasma membrane. The technician correctly classifies this cell as belonging to which group?
A. Prokaryotic bacteria that lack membrane-bound organelles
B. Viral particles that consist only of nucleic acid and protein
C. Archaeal cells that thrive exclusively in extreme environments
D. Eukaryotic cells that contain a true nucleus and organelles
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Eukaryotic cells are defined by the presence of a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles. Prokaryotes lack these structures; viruses are acellular;
archaea are prokaryotic.
Q2. A researcher places red blood cells into a solution and observes that the cells swell and eventually burst. The solution
surrounding the cells is best described as:
A. Hypertonic relative to the intracellular fluid, causing water to leave the cells
B. Isotonic, producing no net movement of water
C. Hypotonic relative to the intracellular fluid, causing water to enter the cells
D. Saturated with solute so that osmosis cannot occur
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
In a hypotonic solution the extracellular fluid has lower solute concentration than the cytoplasm, so water enters by osmosis and the cells lyse.
Hypertonic solutions cause crenation; isotonic solutions produce no net change.
Q3. During an experiment on membrane transport, glucose moves into a cell against its concentration gradient using energy
derived from ATP. This process is an example of:
A. Active transport requiring a carrier protein and ATP hydrolysis
B. Simple diffusion through the phospholipid bilayer
C. Facilitated diffusion via a channel protein without energy input
D. Osmosis of water across a selectively permeable membrane
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Active transport moves solutes against their gradient and requires energy (ATP) and a membrane protein. Simple and facilitated diffusion are passive;
osmosis refers only to water movement.
Q4. A cell biologist is studying the organelle responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion. Which
organelle performs this function?
A. Mitochondrion that generates ATP through cellular respiration
B. Golgi apparatus that processes and packages proteins and lipids
C. Lysosome that digests cellular waste and foreign material
D. Ribosome that synthesizes polypeptide chains from mRNA
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The Golgi apparatus receives proteins from the rough ER, modifies them, and packages them into vesicles for secretion or delivery to other
organelles. Mitochondria produce ATP; lysosomes degrade material; ribosomes synthesize proteins.
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM · Page 2
