HESI A2 Biology study plan

Define the levels of biological organization from atom to organism and state what emerges at each level.

Identify the four major classes of macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids) and match each to its monomers, bonds, and primary cellular functions.

Label the parts of a eukaryotic cell (nucleus, ribosomes, rough and smooth ER, Golgi, mitochondria, lysosomes, cytoskeleton, plasma membrane) and state one function for each.

Contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and contrast plant and animal cells on at least five structural points.

Describe the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane and explain how phospholipid structure produces selective permeability.

Distinguish passive transport (simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis) from active transport and give one physiological example of each.

Predict the direction of water movement for a cell placed in hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions and state the resulting cell effect.

Explain how ATP powers the sodium-potassium pump and why this matters for cell volume and resting potential.

Write the overall equation for cellular respiration and identify where glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain occur.

State the net ATP yield of aerobic respiration and explain why fermentation yields far less.

Write the overall equation for photosynthesis and identify the inputs, outputs, and location of the light reactions and the Calvin cycle.

Explain the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration in terms of energy flow and gas exchange.

Describe the stages of the cell cycle (interphase G1, S, G2, and mitosis) and state what happens to DNA and organelles in each.

List the four phases of mitosis in order and name one distinguishing event for each.

Explain how meiosis differs from mitosis in chromosome number, number of divisions, and genetic variation.

Define the terms chromosome, chromatid, centromere, haploid, and diploid and use them correctly in written answers.

Explain the structure of DNA (double helix, sugar-phosphate backbone, complementary base pairing) and state the base-pairing rules.

Describe the steps of DNA replication and name the roles of helicase, DNA polymerase, and ligase.

Distinguish transcription from translation by location, template, product, and machinery involved.

Use the genetic code to convert a given DNA sequence into mRNA and then into an amino acid chain.

Define genotype, phenotype, allele, dominant, recessive, homozygous, and heterozygous and apply them to written genetics problems.

Complete monohybrid and dihybrid Punnett squares and state expected genotype and phenotype ratios.

Predict outcomes for sex-linked and codominant or incomplete-dominant traits and distinguish them from simple dominance.

Identify the inheritance pattern in a described family scenario and justify the conclusion.

Explain how natural selection acts on heritable variation and list the conditions required for it to occur.

Distinguish the evidence for evolution from comparative anatomy, molecular biology, and the fossil record.

Describe the levels of ecological organization and distinguish a food chain from a food web.

Explain the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers and trace energy flow and nutrient cycling through an ecosystem.

Review all prior weeks using a personal error log and re-solve every missed question type without notes.

Complete at least two full-length timed practice sets and record accuracy by subtopic.

Recite from memory the key equations, base-pairing rules, organelle functions, and mitosis phases within a five-minute drill.

Identify the three weakest subtopics from practice data and close each gap with a focused re-study session.