Portage Biochemistry Module 1 Exam WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS/GRADED A+/ LATEST EDITION
2026!
Definition of biochemistry - ANSWER⭐☑️chemistry of life; how properties of organisms relate to their
molecules
What are the 3 things biochemists study? - ANSWER⭐☑️1. The relationship between structure and
function of biomolecules
2. Chemical reactions of organisms (metabolism)
3. Communication within and among organisms
What are bulk elements? - ANSWER⭐☑️Elements that are abundant in living organisms
What are trace elements? - ANSWER⭐☑️Elements that are less abundant in organisms but still crucial
for life
Name the bulk elements (10) - ANSWER⭐☑️H, Na, K, Ca, C, N, O, P, S, Cl
Name the trace elements (13) - ANSWER⭐☑️Mg, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, W, Se, I
What's another word for a firefly? - ANSWER⭐☑️Lightning bug
Explain the chemical reaction of lightning bugs - ANSWER⭐☑️The chemical reaction is called
bioluminescence. Proteins regulate, produce, and degrade the light-emitting compound called luciferin.
, Luciferin, when acted upon by a protein, glows as bugs move. This chemical reaction is regulated by the
protein (enzyme) called luciferase.
How many naturally occurring elements exist? How many are found in living organisms and what kind of
elements? - ANSWER⭐☑️90 naturally occurring elements, less than 30 elements are found in living
organisms.
Most of these 30 elements are smaller non-metals.
Why are smaller elements favored for living organisms? - ANSWER⭐☑️They can form stable, covalent
bonds
How are strong bonds formed? - ANSWER⭐☑️Strong bonds form by significant overlap of atoms, such as
carbon and hydrogen, permitting them to share electrons
Why is the strong bond good for living organisms? - ANSWER⭐☑️The bond that forms requires
significant energy to break it. This means the bonds can withstand mechanical and thermal pressures
through the growth of hair/skin for protection.
Do larger elements form stable covalent bonds? - ANSWER⭐☑️No
Describe the role of Iron as a larger element - ANSWER⭐☑️Iron has a critical role in hemoglobin for
oxygen transport in vertebrates.
Forms an ion capable of binding to oxygen.
Describe H and O in H2O - ANSWER⭐☑️Both H and O are found in large amounts. They are small atoms
that form strong bonds. When bonded as H2O, they form a small, polar molecule that solvates and
dissolves many compounds.
H2O makes up ___% or more of living things - ANSWER⭐☑️70%
Some plant species are ___% water by mass - ANSWER⭐☑️90%
VERIFIED ANSWERS/GRADED A+/ LATEST EDITION
2026!
Definition of biochemistry - ANSWER⭐☑️chemistry of life; how properties of organisms relate to their
molecules
What are the 3 things biochemists study? - ANSWER⭐☑️1. The relationship between structure and
function of biomolecules
2. Chemical reactions of organisms (metabolism)
3. Communication within and among organisms
What are bulk elements? - ANSWER⭐☑️Elements that are abundant in living organisms
What are trace elements? - ANSWER⭐☑️Elements that are less abundant in organisms but still crucial
for life
Name the bulk elements (10) - ANSWER⭐☑️H, Na, K, Ca, C, N, O, P, S, Cl
Name the trace elements (13) - ANSWER⭐☑️Mg, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, W, Se, I
What's another word for a firefly? - ANSWER⭐☑️Lightning bug
Explain the chemical reaction of lightning bugs - ANSWER⭐☑️The chemical reaction is called
bioluminescence. Proteins regulate, produce, and degrade the light-emitting compound called luciferin.
, Luciferin, when acted upon by a protein, glows as bugs move. This chemical reaction is regulated by the
protein (enzyme) called luciferase.
How many naturally occurring elements exist? How many are found in living organisms and what kind of
elements? - ANSWER⭐☑️90 naturally occurring elements, less than 30 elements are found in living
organisms.
Most of these 30 elements are smaller non-metals.
Why are smaller elements favored for living organisms? - ANSWER⭐☑️They can form stable, covalent
bonds
How are strong bonds formed? - ANSWER⭐☑️Strong bonds form by significant overlap of atoms, such as
carbon and hydrogen, permitting them to share electrons
Why is the strong bond good for living organisms? - ANSWER⭐☑️The bond that forms requires
significant energy to break it. This means the bonds can withstand mechanical and thermal pressures
through the growth of hair/skin for protection.
Do larger elements form stable covalent bonds? - ANSWER⭐☑️No
Describe the role of Iron as a larger element - ANSWER⭐☑️Iron has a critical role in hemoglobin for
oxygen transport in vertebrates.
Forms an ion capable of binding to oxygen.
Describe H and O in H2O - ANSWER⭐☑️Both H and O are found in large amounts. They are small atoms
that form strong bonds. When bonded as H2O, they form a small, polar molecule that solvates and
dissolves many compounds.
H2O makes up ___% or more of living things - ANSWER⭐☑️70%
Some plant species are ___% water by mass - ANSWER⭐☑️90%
