Nursing programs employ the Health Education Systems, Inc (HESI) Entrance Assessment (A2) Biology exam to assess your suitability and likelihood of success in a demanding nursing education setting.
Twenty-five questions make up the HESI A2 Biology Test, which covers general knowledge, macromolecules, metabolism, cells, water, cellular reproduction, cellular respiration, genetics, DNA, and photosynthesis. More details on each section of the HESI A2 Biology Practice Test are provided below.
Let’s get started with our free HESI A2 practice test so you can ace the real exam on your first try.
What’s on the HESI A2 Biology Section?
The subtest consists of 30 multiple-choice questions and is delivered by computer. Five exam questions are used to evaluate future exams and do not impact your score in any way. You are unable to tell the difference between scored and unscored questions. There are four possible answers to each question. To receive credit for the question, you must select the correct response. There is only one correct answer to each question.
The exam will take 25 minutes to complete. You have about 50 seconds to spend on each question, so pay attention to the time you have left. Make your best guess and move on if a question is proving difficult. If time remains, you can return to prompts that you are unsure of. An on-screen calculator is available for you to use.
The biology subtest assesses your general biology knowledge. Topics consist of:
Biology basics
Your understanding of the kingdom classification system, natural selection, evolution, gradualism, punctuated equilibrium, and the scientific method are evaluated.
Water
Questions regarding water ask you to show your knowledge of the different properties of water including, cohesion, adhesion, heat, and solvency.
Biologic molecules
You will encounter questions testing your understanding of reactions (catabolic and anabolic), the four basic building blocks, and the four basic macromolecules.
Metabolism
Questions here require you to show your understanding of metabolism.
The cell
You are asked to show your knowledge of the structure and function of cells. Specific understanding of nuclei, ribosomes, nuclear pores, nucleoplasm, chromosomes, cytoplasm, cell membranes, and related concepts are evaluated.
Cellular respiration
Topics include metabolic reactions within a cell, the Krebs cycle, oxidation, glycolysis, chemiosmosis, respiration (aerobic and anaerobic), and fermentation.
Photosynthesis
Your knowledge of the concepts related to photosynthesis is evaluated.
Cellular reproduction
This section focuses on the term and concepts related to cellular reproduction, including meiosis, mitosis, chromatids, gametes, haploids, and diploids.
Genetics
Questions deal with genetic principles (Hardy-Weinberg, etc.), Mendel’s Laws, genes, genotype, phenotype, alleles, recessive traits, dominant traits, monohybrids, hybrid crosses, codominance and incomplete dominance, and DNA mutations.
DNA
Questions focus on DNA replication, antiparallel replication, base pairing, DNA protein functions, and related concepts.
HESI A2 Biology Practice Test
The following are some HESI A2 Biology practice test questions and answers. Check them out!
1. The function of lysosomes is to ___________.
A. Break down macromolecules into smaller molecules & destroy damaged cellular parts.
B. Control cell activity
C. Destroy foreign substances such as bacteria.
D. Create energy from sugar molecules.
2. The process of all chemical reactions that occur within an organism is known as __________.
A. Metabolism
B. Chemiosmosis
C. Phosphorylation
D. Osmoregulation
3. What type of bond does the polarity of water form between molecules?
A. Lonic
B. Polar
C. Covalent
D. Hydrogen
4. Bacterial cells reproduce through a process called ________.
A. Binary fission
B. Viral replication
C. Budding
D. None of the above
5. Where can ribosomes be found inside a cell?
A. Only in the cytoplasm.
B. Attached to the endoplasmic reticulum and in the cytoplasm.
C. None of the above.
D. Only attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.
Answer & Explanation
1. Answer: C
Explanation: The lysosomes contain enzymes to digest large molecules
2. Answer: A
Explanation: Metabolism is a term used to describe all chemical reactions that sustain the living state of the cells and the organism. Metabolism can be divided into two categories: Catabolism the breakdown of molecules to gain energy and anabolism the synthesis of all compounds needed by the cells.
3. Answer: D
Explanation:
Every water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Two water molecules can create a hydrogen bond between them. The oxygen of one water molecule holds two lone pairs of electrons. These two electrons can produce a hydrogen bond with another hydrogen on two other water molecules.
4. Answer: A
Explanation: Binary fission is one form of asexual reproduction and the most common system of reproduction for bacterial cells. Once the parent cell replicates the genetic material then the cell divides into two daughter cells forming a new bacterial cell.
5. Answer: B
Explanation: Ribosomes can be found in two places: attached to the endoplasmic reticulum (Rough ER) or free-floating in the cytoplasm.
Read more>>> How to prepare for the HESI A2 exam
Study with our FREE HESI Biology Practice Test
You must perform well on the HESI A2 in order to get accepted into nursing school. How can you study for this major test in the quickest and most effective manner? Use a range of study tools and the HESI A2 practice test to make sure you are thoroughly ready for the exam.
To assist you with this task, Passemall offers free resources. A free Biology HESI A2 practice test will evaluate your abilities and knowledge and give you a sense of how prepared you are for the HESI A2 test. Any areas that need additional study and comprehension will also be made clear on a practice test. To make the most of your time, when taking the HESI A2 practice test for the first time, indicate next to each question whether of the following statements is true.
By asking yourself these questions, you’ll be able to pinpoint your areas of strength and weakness, enabling you to concentrate your study time on the ones that most need improvement.
The questions you correctly answered did not obviously require much research; however, you should review this material once more to make sure you thoroughly grasp the subject. Symply put, you need to understand why the response is correct. You’ll need to devote extra time and attention to the questions that you correctly answered but were doubtful of. Maybe all you know regarding the topic of the question is only bare minimum.
Read more>>> HESI A2 Biology Study Guide
Stop holding your breath! Use our HESI A2 Biology practice test to start preparing for your HESI exam. With the help of our guide, we hope you’ll be able to increase your chances of passing your real test on the first try and receiving a good score.
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