HESI A2 Biology v2 Exam Study
Guide: GRADED A+. Questions and
Verified Answers WITH
RATIONALES. Latest 2026 Update
1. A patient receives an antibiotic for symptoms of the flu. Why doesn’t the
medication work?
a. The medication is for a different type of flu.
b. The medication is not suitable for treating the flu.
c. The medication is not a strong enough dosage amount to cure the patient.
d. None of the above
The correct answer is B. Antibiotics are used for treating bacterial infections, but
the flu is caused by a virus. Although symptoms can be similar in case of a cold
(bacteria) or the flu (virus), viruses cannot be treated using antibiotics.
2. The nucleus is important in a cell because:
a. It stores the DNA
b. It supports the cell
c. It makes protein
d. It makes energy out of food
The correct answer is A. The nucleus is the “brain” of the cell and stores the DNA.
A cell wall supports the cell (only if it is a plant). The ribosomes make protein and
the mitochondria makes energy.
3. Cellular respiration happens so that
a. Cells can copy DNA
b. Cells can breathe
c. Cells can convert nutrients to energy
d. Cells can divide
The correct answer is C. The term respiration typically triggers thoughts of
breathing, but in this case, it is referring to the process cells undergo to convert
,nutrients into ATP. Copying DNA is transcription and translation. Cells themselves
cannot breathe. Cell division is mitosis or meiosis, depending on the type of cell.
4. Anaerobic respiration happens in _ because _ .
a. Animals; they need energy
b. Plants; they use sunlight
c. Bacteria; they live in environments with low oxygen.
d. None of the above
The correct answer is C. Animals and plants both use aerobic respiration because
they have access to oxygen. Bacteria typically live in environments with little to
no oxygen and must still produce energy to survive.
5. All bacteria are bad and always cause infections.
a. True
b. False
The correct answer is B. Bacteria can be good, such as the bacteria in the
intestines. This bacterium can become problematic if it travels to a location other
than where it belongs. Pathogenic bacteria are bad and can cause infections, but
not all bacteria are this type.
,6. Which of the following is not true about antibiotics?
a. They can interfere with the bacteria’s ability to survive
b. They can affect how bacteria multiply
c. They can cause more bacteria to grow
d. They only work on bacteria
The correct answer is C. Antibiotics only work on bacteria by either blocking its
ability to grow or multiply, or completely killing the bacteria cells.
7. Prokaryotic cells:
a. Have a nucleus
b. Have a capsule
c. Have membrane bound organelles
d. Cannot move on their own
The correct answer is B. Prokaryotic cells are simple, single celled organisms. They
do not have a nucleus or membrane bound organelles. This type of cell can move
on its own with a flagella or small hair-like fibers.
8. Select the cell parts that are present in plant cells but not animal cells
(there may be more than one answer):
a. Cell membrane
b. Cell wall
c. Ribosome
d. Chloroplast
The correct answer is B and D. Both plant and animal cells have a cell membrane
and ribosomes, however only plant cells have a cell wall and chloroplasts. The cell
wall is necessary for maintaining the shape and structure of the plant.
Chloroplasts are necessary for photosynthesis.
9. Epithelial tissue can be found in:
a. Organ lining
b. Heart muscle
c. Tendons
d. Spinal cord
The correct answer is A. Epithelial tissue is found in skin and all of the linings
within the body. Heart muscle is muscle tissue, tendons are connective tissue and
the spinal cord is nervous tissue.
, 10.What are the three types of muscle tissue?
a. Cardiac, spinal, stomach
b. Smooth, skeletal, cardiac
c. Neuron, epithelial, collagen
d. None of the above
The correct answer is B. Smooth muscle is found in organs like the stomach,
where it is involuntarily controlled. Skeletal muscle is found in voluntary muscles,
like the bicep or quadriceps. Cardiac muscle is found only in the heart walls and
works involuntarily to make the heart beat and pump blood.
Guide: GRADED A+. Questions and
Verified Answers WITH
RATIONALES. Latest 2026 Update
1. A patient receives an antibiotic for symptoms of the flu. Why doesn’t the
medication work?
a. The medication is for a different type of flu.
b. The medication is not suitable for treating the flu.
c. The medication is not a strong enough dosage amount to cure the patient.
d. None of the above
The correct answer is B. Antibiotics are used for treating bacterial infections, but
the flu is caused by a virus. Although symptoms can be similar in case of a cold
(bacteria) or the flu (virus), viruses cannot be treated using antibiotics.
2. The nucleus is important in a cell because:
a. It stores the DNA
b. It supports the cell
c. It makes protein
d. It makes energy out of food
The correct answer is A. The nucleus is the “brain” of the cell and stores the DNA.
A cell wall supports the cell (only if it is a plant). The ribosomes make protein and
the mitochondria makes energy.
3. Cellular respiration happens so that
a. Cells can copy DNA
b. Cells can breathe
c. Cells can convert nutrients to energy
d. Cells can divide
The correct answer is C. The term respiration typically triggers thoughts of
breathing, but in this case, it is referring to the process cells undergo to convert
,nutrients into ATP. Copying DNA is transcription and translation. Cells themselves
cannot breathe. Cell division is mitosis or meiosis, depending on the type of cell.
4. Anaerobic respiration happens in _ because _ .
a. Animals; they need energy
b. Plants; they use sunlight
c. Bacteria; they live in environments with low oxygen.
d. None of the above
The correct answer is C. Animals and plants both use aerobic respiration because
they have access to oxygen. Bacteria typically live in environments with little to
no oxygen and must still produce energy to survive.
5. All bacteria are bad and always cause infections.
a. True
b. False
The correct answer is B. Bacteria can be good, such as the bacteria in the
intestines. This bacterium can become problematic if it travels to a location other
than where it belongs. Pathogenic bacteria are bad and can cause infections, but
not all bacteria are this type.
,6. Which of the following is not true about antibiotics?
a. They can interfere with the bacteria’s ability to survive
b. They can affect how bacteria multiply
c. They can cause more bacteria to grow
d. They only work on bacteria
The correct answer is C. Antibiotics only work on bacteria by either blocking its
ability to grow or multiply, or completely killing the bacteria cells.
7. Prokaryotic cells:
a. Have a nucleus
b. Have a capsule
c. Have membrane bound organelles
d. Cannot move on their own
The correct answer is B. Prokaryotic cells are simple, single celled organisms. They
do not have a nucleus or membrane bound organelles. This type of cell can move
on its own with a flagella or small hair-like fibers.
8. Select the cell parts that are present in plant cells but not animal cells
(there may be more than one answer):
a. Cell membrane
b. Cell wall
c. Ribosome
d. Chloroplast
The correct answer is B and D. Both plant and animal cells have a cell membrane
and ribosomes, however only plant cells have a cell wall and chloroplasts. The cell
wall is necessary for maintaining the shape and structure of the plant.
Chloroplasts are necessary for photosynthesis.
9. Epithelial tissue can be found in:
a. Organ lining
b. Heart muscle
c. Tendons
d. Spinal cord
The correct answer is A. Epithelial tissue is found in skin and all of the linings
within the body. Heart muscle is muscle tissue, tendons are connective tissue and
the spinal cord is nervous tissue.
, 10.What are the three types of muscle tissue?
a. Cardiac, spinal, stomach
b. Smooth, skeletal, cardiac
c. Neuron, epithelial, collagen
d. None of the above
The correct answer is B. Smooth muscle is found in organs like the stomach,
where it is involuntarily controlled. Skeletal muscle is found in voluntary muscles,
like the bicep or quadriceps. Cardiac muscle is found only in the heart walls and
works involuntarily to make the heart beat and pump blood.
