FUNDAMENTALS OF MICROBIOLOGY: Physics, Chemistry, and Biochemistry Question and Answer 2026 | Complete Study Guide | A+ Verified

FUNDAMENTALS OF MICROBIOLOGY: Physics,
Chemistry, and Biochemistry Question and
Answer 2026 | Complete Study Guide | A+
Verified
• What is an atom? -✓✓An atom is the smallest unit of ordinary matter
that forms a chemical element.


• What makes up about 96% of the mass of an organism? -✓✓Four
elements: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), and Nitrogen (N).


• What are the three subatomic particles of an atom? -✓✓Protons,
Neutrons, and Electrons.


• How many electrons can the first shell of an atom hold? -✓✓2
electrons.


• How many electrons can the second shell of an atom hold? -✓✓8
electrons.


• How many electrons can the third shell of an atom hold? -✓✓8
electrons.


• What determines the stability of an atom? -✓✓An atom is stable when
its outer electron shell is full.

, • What are the two main types of chemical bonds? -✓✓Ionic Bonds and
Covalent Bonds.


• What happens in an ionic bond? -✓✓Electrons are transferred from
one atom to another.


• What happens in a covalent bond? -✓✓Electrons are shared between
two atoms.


• What is a polar covalent bond? -✓✓A bond where electrons are not
shared equally, resulting in partial charges.


• What is a nonpolar covalent bond? -✓✓A bond where electrons are
shared equally between atoms.


• What is the significance of water's polarity? -✓✓It makes water a
great solvent.


• What are hydrophilic substances? -✓✓Water-loving substances that
are usually polar molecules or ions.


• What are hydrophobic substances? -✓✓Water-fearing substances that
are nonpolar and nonionized.