CHEM210 Biochemistry
(Module 1 – 8)
Final Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
, 1. Biomolecules and Aqueous Solutions
1. Which property of water is most responsible for its excellent solvent
capabilities in biochemical systems?
A. Its low polarity
B. Its high dielectric constant
C. Its high molecular weight
D. Its low boiling point
ANS: B
Rationale: Water’s high dielectric constant helps to dissociate ions
and stabilize charged biomolecules, making it an excellent solvent in
biological systems.
2. The unique hydrogen bonding in water contributes significantly to
which of the following properties?
A. Its ability to dissolve nonpolar molecules easily
B. Its high specific heat capacity and surface tension
C. Its low viscosity
D. Its negligible heat of vaporization
ANS: B
Rationale: Extensive hydrogen bonding in water results in a high
specific heat capacity and significant surface tension, which are critical
for temperature regulation and cellular processes.
3. A buffer solution is designed to resist changes in pH upon addition of
acid or base. Which equation best describes the quantitative relationship
determining buffer pH?
A. Michaelis-Menten equation
B. Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
C. Nernst equation
D. Arrhenius equation
ANS: B
2
, Rationale: The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation relates pH to the
pKa and the ratio of conjugate base to acid, making it fundamental in
buffer design.
4. Which of the following is a typical characteristic of a good biological
buffer?
A. A pKa value far from the desired pH
B. High ionic strength independent of its buffering range
C. Minimal change in pH upon addition of small quantities of strong
acid or base
D. High concentration of non-ionizable solutes
ANS: C
Rationale: A good buffer exhibits minimal changes in pH when small
amounts of acid or base are added, ensuring stable conditions for
biochemical reactions.
---
2. Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes
5. Which component in an amino acid is responsible for its chirality
(except glycine)?
A. The carboxyl group
B. The amino group
C. The side chain (R-group) attached to the alpha-carbon
D. The hydrogen atom
ANS: C
Rationale: All standard amino acids, except glycine, have a chiral
center at the alpha-carbon due to the presence of four different
substituents, with the R-group being unique for each.
6. Protein tertiary structure is primarily stabilized by all of the following
interactions except:
A. Hydrogen bonds
B. Ionic interactions
3
(Module 1 – 8)
Final Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
, 1. Biomolecules and Aqueous Solutions
1. Which property of water is most responsible for its excellent solvent
capabilities in biochemical systems?
A. Its low polarity
B. Its high dielectric constant
C. Its high molecular weight
D. Its low boiling point
ANS: B
Rationale: Water’s high dielectric constant helps to dissociate ions
and stabilize charged biomolecules, making it an excellent solvent in
biological systems.
2. The unique hydrogen bonding in water contributes significantly to
which of the following properties?
A. Its ability to dissolve nonpolar molecules easily
B. Its high specific heat capacity and surface tension
C. Its low viscosity
D. Its negligible heat of vaporization
ANS: B
Rationale: Extensive hydrogen bonding in water results in a high
specific heat capacity and significant surface tension, which are critical
for temperature regulation and cellular processes.
3. A buffer solution is designed to resist changes in pH upon addition of
acid or base. Which equation best describes the quantitative relationship
determining buffer pH?
A. Michaelis-Menten equation
B. Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
C. Nernst equation
D. Arrhenius equation
ANS: B
2
, Rationale: The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation relates pH to the
pKa and the ratio of conjugate base to acid, making it fundamental in
buffer design.
4. Which of the following is a typical characteristic of a good biological
buffer?
A. A pKa value far from the desired pH
B. High ionic strength independent of its buffering range
C. Minimal change in pH upon addition of small quantities of strong
acid or base
D. High concentration of non-ionizable solutes
ANS: C
Rationale: A good buffer exhibits minimal changes in pH when small
amounts of acid or base are added, ensuring stable conditions for
biochemical reactions.
---
2. Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes
5. Which component in an amino acid is responsible for its chirality
(except glycine)?
A. The carboxyl group
B. The amino group
C. The side chain (R-group) attached to the alpha-carbon
D. The hydrogen atom
ANS: C
Rationale: All standard amino acids, except glycine, have a chiral
center at the alpha-carbon due to the presence of four different
substituents, with the R-group being unique for each.
6. Protein tertiary structure is primarily stabilized by all of the following
interactions except:
A. Hydrogen bonds
B. Ionic interactions
3
