,CHEM 210 Module 1 Exam | Biochemistry |
Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following is the correct definition of biochemistry?
A) The study of non-carbon compounds and their reactions
B) The study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms
C) The study of the physical properties of inorganic molecules
D) The study of the structure of the Earth's crust
Correct Answer: The study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms
Rationale: Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the chemical processes and substances
that occur within living organisms. It bridges biology and chemistry by focusing on the molecular
mechanisms of life, including metabolism, enzyme function, and genetic information.
2. According to the module, a compound with a molecular mass of 1,000 g/mol is considered a
macromolecule.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: While macromolecules are typically large polymers with high molecular weights, the exact
threshold can vary. In the context of this module, a molecular mass of 1,000 g/mol is not the defining
criterion used for classification. Many sources consider macromolecules to have masses in the
thousands to millions of daltons.
3. Biomolecules can have only two functional groups.
A) True
B) False
,Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Biomolecules are complex and can contain multiple functional groups. For example, amino
acids possess both an amino group and a carboxyl group, and many carbohydrates contain numerous
hydroxyl groups. The presence of various functional groups contributes to the diverse chemistry of life.
4. Which functional group is commonly found in carbohydrates?
A) Esters
B) Thiols
C) Carboxylic acids
D) Alcohols
E) Amines
Correct Answer: Alcohols
Rationale: Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy compounds, meaning they contain multiple alcohol (hydroxyl)
functional groups. These hydroxyl groups are central to the structure and reactivity of sugars, allowing
for glycosidic bond formation and various chemical modifications.
5. The following functional group is an example of a:
(Image of a functional group, likely a ketone)
A) Thiol
B) Amide
C) Benzene
D) Aldehyde
E) Ketone
Correct Answer: Ketone
, Rationale: A ketone is characterized by a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to two carbon atoms. This
structure is distinct from an aldehyde, where the carbonyl is bonded to at least one hydrogen. Ketones
are common in biochemistry, notably in sugars like fructose and in metabolic intermediates like acetone.
6. Which of the following is NOT a property of carbon?
A) Possessing four valence electrons
B) Forming strong covalent bonds
C) Possessing five valence electrons
D) Ability to form long chains
Correct Answer: Possessing five valence electrons
Rationale: Carbon has four valence electrons, which allows it to form four stable covalent bonds. This
tetravalency is the basis for the vast diversity of organic molecules. Possessing five valence electrons is a
property of elements like nitrogen or phosphorus, not carbon.
7. Which of the following elements is NOT typically found in living organisms?
A) Oxygen (O)
B) Carbon (C)
C) Hydrogen (H)
D) Helium (He)
E) Nitrogen (N)
Correct Answer: Helium (He)
Rationale: The six most abundant elements in living organisms are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen,
phosphorus, and sulfur (CHNOPS). Helium is a noble gas that is chemically inert and does not participate
in biological processes, making it non-essential for life.
8. A collection of two or more macromolecules uniting is called a:
A) Monomer
Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following is the correct definition of biochemistry?
A) The study of non-carbon compounds and their reactions
B) The study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms
C) The study of the physical properties of inorganic molecules
D) The study of the structure of the Earth's crust
Correct Answer: The study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms
Rationale: Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the chemical processes and substances
that occur within living organisms. It bridges biology and chemistry by focusing on the molecular
mechanisms of life, including metabolism, enzyme function, and genetic information.
2. According to the module, a compound with a molecular mass of 1,000 g/mol is considered a
macromolecule.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: While macromolecules are typically large polymers with high molecular weights, the exact
threshold can vary. In the context of this module, a molecular mass of 1,000 g/mol is not the defining
criterion used for classification. Many sources consider macromolecules to have masses in the
thousands to millions of daltons.
3. Biomolecules can have only two functional groups.
A) True
B) False
,Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Biomolecules are complex and can contain multiple functional groups. For example, amino
acids possess both an amino group and a carboxyl group, and many carbohydrates contain numerous
hydroxyl groups. The presence of various functional groups contributes to the diverse chemistry of life.
4. Which functional group is commonly found in carbohydrates?
A) Esters
B) Thiols
C) Carboxylic acids
D) Alcohols
E) Amines
Correct Answer: Alcohols
Rationale: Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy compounds, meaning they contain multiple alcohol (hydroxyl)
functional groups. These hydroxyl groups are central to the structure and reactivity of sugars, allowing
for glycosidic bond formation and various chemical modifications.
5. The following functional group is an example of a:
(Image of a functional group, likely a ketone)
A) Thiol
B) Amide
C) Benzene
D) Aldehyde
E) Ketone
Correct Answer: Ketone
, Rationale: A ketone is characterized by a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to two carbon atoms. This
structure is distinct from an aldehyde, where the carbonyl is bonded to at least one hydrogen. Ketones
are common in biochemistry, notably in sugars like fructose and in metabolic intermediates like acetone.
6. Which of the following is NOT a property of carbon?
A) Possessing four valence electrons
B) Forming strong covalent bonds
C) Possessing five valence electrons
D) Ability to form long chains
Correct Answer: Possessing five valence electrons
Rationale: Carbon has four valence electrons, which allows it to form four stable covalent bonds. This
tetravalency is the basis for the vast diversity of organic molecules. Possessing five valence electrons is a
property of elements like nitrogen or phosphorus, not carbon.
7. Which of the following elements is NOT typically found in living organisms?
A) Oxygen (O)
B) Carbon (C)
C) Hydrogen (H)
D) Helium (He)
E) Nitrogen (N)
Correct Answer: Helium (He)
Rationale: The six most abundant elements in living organisms are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen,
phosphorus, and sulfur (CHNOPS). Helium is a noble gas that is chemically inert and does not participate
in biological processes, making it non-essential for life.
8. A collection of two or more macromolecules uniting is called a:
A) Monomer
