CHEM 210 BIOCHEMISTRY MODULES 1 TO 8
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ 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%
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ 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%
