200 Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | Portage Learning
2026/2027 Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
1. Which of the following is the correct definition of biochemistry?
A) The study of noncarbon 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
Answer: B
Explanation: 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
Answer: B
Explanation: 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
Answer: B
Explanation: Biomolecules can contain multiple functional groups. For example, amino acids contain
both amine and carboxylic acid groups, and many biomolecules contain additional functional groups
such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, or phosphate groups.
4. The following functional group is an alcohol.
A) True
B) False
Answer: (Depends on the structure shown; in the Portage exam, this was marked False for a specific
structure)
Explanation: An alcohol functional group contains a hydroxyl group (OH) bonded to a carbon atom.
Without seeing the specific structure, this cannot be definitively answered.
,5. Which functional group is commonly found in carbohydrates?
A) Esters
B) Thiols
C) Carboxylic acids
D) Alcohols
E) Amines
Answer: D
Explanation: Alcohols are functional groups commonly found in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates contain
multiple hydroxyl (OH) groups, which are characteristic of alcohols.
6. The following functional group is an example of a:
A) Thiol
B) Amide
C) Benzene
D) Aldehyde
Answer: (Depends on the structure shown)
Explanation: Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for
the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules.
, 7. A ________ is a chemical formula that does NOT show the CH and CC bonds.
A) Covalent formula
B) Line bond formula
C) Empirical formula
D) Kekulé structure
E) Condensed formula
Answer: E
Explanation: A condensed formula is a shorthand way of writing a molecular structure where the bonds
between atoms are implied rather than explicitly drawn. For example, the condensed formula for
butane is CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃, which omits the CC and CH bonds.
8. A collection of two or more macromolecules uniting is called a:
A) Monomer
B) Macromolecular structure
C) Dimer
D) Supramolecular complex
E) Kekulé complex
Answer: D
Explanation: A supramolecular complex is formed when two or more macromolecules unite through
noncovalent interactions. This is distinct from a single macromolecule or a dimer (which is two
monomers).