Question Bank
This all-in-one study resource is designed for students facing the CHEM 210 Final
Exam. It bridges the gap between General Chemistry (Portage Learning/University
level) and foundational Biochemistry.
1. Which element is known as the "superglue" of the chemical world due to its
ability to form four stable bonds?
A. Nitrogen
B. Oxygen
C. Carbon
D. Hydrogen
Answer: C. CARBON
Rationale: Carbon’s four valence electrons allow it to form diverse, stable covalent
bonds, making it the foundational element for all organic life.
2. What is the pH of a solution with a hydrogen ion concentration
of
M?
A. 5
B. 9
C. 14
D. 7
Answer: A. 5
Rationale: pH is calculated using the formula
,. The negative log of
is 5.
3. In a typical cell, what is the primary function of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)?
A. Structural support
B. Information storage
C. Energy transfer
D. Cell signaling
Answer: C. ENERGY TRANSFER
Rationale: ATP acts as the universal energy currency, providing the power needed for
metabolic processes through the hydrolysis of its phosphate bonds.
4. A molecule that is both polar and non-polar, such as a phospholipid, is
described as:
A. Hydrophobic
B. Hydrophilic
C. Amphipathic
D. Isomeric
Answer: C. AMPHIPATHIC
Rationale: Amphipathic molecules contain both a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a
hydrophobic (water-fearing) tail.
5. Which functional group consists of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen
atoms (-NH2)?
A. Carboxyl
B. Hydroxyl
C. Amino
D. Carbonyl
Answer: C. AMINO
Rationale: The amino group is a fundamental component of amino acids and acts as a
weak base.
6. What type of bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms?
A. Ionic
B. Hydrogen
C. Covalent
D. Van der Waals
,Answer: C. COVALENT
Rationale: Covalent bonds are the strongest biological bonds where atoms "co-share"
electrons to fill their outer shells.
7. Which of the following is an example of a polysaccharide?
A. Glucose
B. Sucrose
C. Glycogen
D. Fructose
Answer: C. GLYCOGEN
Rationale: Glycogen is a complex polymer of glucose used for long-term energy storage
in animals.
8. The process of building larger molecules from smaller units, requiring energy,
is called:
A. Catabolism
B. Metabolism
C. Anabolism
D. Glycolysis
Answer: C. ANABOLISM
Rationale: Anabolic pathways consume energy to synthesize complex molecules like
proteins and DNA.
9. How many hydrogen bonds form between Guanine and Cytosine in a DNA
double helix?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Answer: C. 3
Rationale: G-C pairs are more stable than A-T pairs because they share three hydrogen
bonds instead of two.
10. Which part of the cell is responsible for the majority of ATP production?
A. Nucleus
B. Ribosome
C. Mitochondria
D. Lysosome
, Answer: C. MITOCHONDRIA
Rationale: Often called the powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria perform oxidative
phosphorylation to produce ATP.
11. A buffer solution is designed to:
A. Speed up reactions
B. Neutralize all acids
C. Resist changes in pH
D. Change color in bases
Answer: C. RESIST CHANGES IN PH
Rationale: Buffers contain a weak acid and its conjugate base to neutralize small
amounts of added
or
.
12. What is the approximate diameter of a typical human cell?
A. 1-2 nm
B. 10-100
C. 1-5 mm
D. 10 cm
Answer: B. 10-100
Rationale: Human cells are microscopic, usually falling within the 10 to 100 micrometer
range.
13. Which of the following is a non-polar, hydrophobic amino acid?
A. Lysine
B. Glutamate
C. Valine
D. Serine