BIOC 384 D2Q 1–3 Study Guide 2026 | Miesfeld | Complete
Review | Graded A+
1. What does the standard free energy change indicate in a biochemical
reaction?
The standard free energy change determines the temperature of the
reaction.
The standard free energy change reflects the pH of the solution.
The standard free energy change measures enzyme concentration.
The standard free energy change indicates the spontaneity of a
reaction.
2. Describe the significance of a low energy charge in cellular metabolism.
A low energy charge indicates that the cell is functioning optimally
with balanced metabolic pathways.
A low energy charge indicates that the cell is in a state of energy
deficiency, which can lead to increased AMP concentrations and a
shift towards catabolic pathways.
A low energy charge suggests that the cell has an abundance of ATP
and can support anabolic processes.
A low energy charge means that glucose levels are high, promoting
energy storage.
3. Joe had just received his nursing degree and his certificate to practice as a
registered nurse. On his first day in his new job, he became so nervous that
he gave a patient an IV (intravenous) drip with pure water instead of saline (IV
stands for intravenous, meaning that the liquid is injected directly into the
patient's blood stream). Luckily, Joe's supervisor noticed his mistake right
away and changed the bag. If the bag had not been changed, and the
, patient was given IV with pure water instead of saline, what might have
happened to the patient?
The patient's red blood cells and white blood cells in his blood stream
would have dissolved in the water
The patient's red blood cells and white blood cells in his blood
stream would have burst.
Nothing would have happened to the patient; 60% of the human body
is water, a little more will have no effect
The patient's red blood cells and white blood cells in his blood stream
would have shriveled.
4. Describe the relationship between work and energy change in a system
where no heat is transferred.
Work and energy change are unrelated in such a system.
The work done is equal to the initial energy of the system.
The work done is equal to the total energy of the system.
In a system with no heat transfer, the work done is equal to the
change in energy of the system.
5. Which of the following equations describes the equilibrium reaction: aA + bB
↔ cC + dD?
Keq = ΔG°' = -RT log ΔG
Keq = c[C]d[D] / a[A]b[B]
Keq = [A]a[B]b / [C]c[D]d
Keq = [C]c[D]d / [A]a[B]b
,6. What is the delta Gº' value for the conversion of glucose to fructose-6-
phosphate in the presence of ATP?
+18.4 kJ/mol
+42.6 kJ/mol
+15.0 kJ/mol
-15.0 kJ/mol
7. Aerobic respiration produces "energy currency" in the form of:
ATP
sugar
pyruvate
NADH
fat
8. Describe how the hydrophobic effect contributes to protein folding.
The hydrophobic effect drives nonpolar side chains to aggregate in
the interior of proteins, stabilizing their folded structure.
The hydrophobic effect facilitates the interaction of polar molecules in
aqueous environments.
The hydrophobic effect causes proteins to dissolve in water, leading
to denaturation.
The hydrophobic effect is responsible for the formation of peptide
bonds.
9. Humans cannot digest the cellulose found in plants because humans do not
produce an enzyme that can cleave
, beta 1,4 glycosidic bonds.
beta 1,6 glycosidic bonds.
alpha 1,6 glycosidic bonds.
alpha 1,4 glycosidic bonds.
alpha 1,2 glycosidic bonds.
10. If a new species of plant were discovered that could utilize geothermal
energy for its metabolic processes, how would this relate to the citrate cycle
and ecosystem dynamics?
It would imply that the plant is less complex than existing species.
It would mean that the plant does not interact with other organisms.
It would indicate that the plant relies solely on photosynthesis for
energy.
It would suggest a new metabolic pathway that could influence
nutrient recycling in its ecosystem.
11. If a biochemical reaction has an equilibrium constant (Keq) of 10, what can be
inferred about the standard free energy change (delta Gº') for this reaction?
The standard free energy change (delta Gº') cannot be determined
without additional information.
The standard free energy change (delta Gº') is negative, indicating
that the reaction is spontaneous.
The standard free energy change (delta Gº') is positive, indicating that
the reaction is non-spontaneous.
The standard free energy change (delta Gº') is zero, indicating that the
reaction is at equilibrium.
Review | Graded A+
1. What does the standard free energy change indicate in a biochemical
reaction?
The standard free energy change determines the temperature of the
reaction.
The standard free energy change reflects the pH of the solution.
The standard free energy change measures enzyme concentration.
The standard free energy change indicates the spontaneity of a
reaction.
2. Describe the significance of a low energy charge in cellular metabolism.
A low energy charge indicates that the cell is functioning optimally
with balanced metabolic pathways.
A low energy charge indicates that the cell is in a state of energy
deficiency, which can lead to increased AMP concentrations and a
shift towards catabolic pathways.
A low energy charge suggests that the cell has an abundance of ATP
and can support anabolic processes.
A low energy charge means that glucose levels are high, promoting
energy storage.
3. Joe had just received his nursing degree and his certificate to practice as a
registered nurse. On his first day in his new job, he became so nervous that
he gave a patient an IV (intravenous) drip with pure water instead of saline (IV
stands for intravenous, meaning that the liquid is injected directly into the
patient's blood stream). Luckily, Joe's supervisor noticed his mistake right
away and changed the bag. If the bag had not been changed, and the
, patient was given IV with pure water instead of saline, what might have
happened to the patient?
The patient's red blood cells and white blood cells in his blood stream
would have dissolved in the water
The patient's red blood cells and white blood cells in his blood
stream would have burst.
Nothing would have happened to the patient; 60% of the human body
is water, a little more will have no effect
The patient's red blood cells and white blood cells in his blood stream
would have shriveled.
4. Describe the relationship between work and energy change in a system
where no heat is transferred.
Work and energy change are unrelated in such a system.
The work done is equal to the initial energy of the system.
The work done is equal to the total energy of the system.
In a system with no heat transfer, the work done is equal to the
change in energy of the system.
5. Which of the following equations describes the equilibrium reaction: aA + bB
↔ cC + dD?
Keq = ΔG°' = -RT log ΔG
Keq = c[C]d[D] / a[A]b[B]
Keq = [A]a[B]b / [C]c[D]d
Keq = [C]c[D]d / [A]a[B]b
,6. What is the delta Gº' value for the conversion of glucose to fructose-6-
phosphate in the presence of ATP?
+18.4 kJ/mol
+42.6 kJ/mol
+15.0 kJ/mol
-15.0 kJ/mol
7. Aerobic respiration produces "energy currency" in the form of:
ATP
sugar
pyruvate
NADH
fat
8. Describe how the hydrophobic effect contributes to protein folding.
The hydrophobic effect drives nonpolar side chains to aggregate in
the interior of proteins, stabilizing their folded structure.
The hydrophobic effect facilitates the interaction of polar molecules in
aqueous environments.
The hydrophobic effect causes proteins to dissolve in water, leading
to denaturation.
The hydrophobic effect is responsible for the formation of peptide
bonds.
9. Humans cannot digest the cellulose found in plants because humans do not
produce an enzyme that can cleave
, beta 1,4 glycosidic bonds.
beta 1,6 glycosidic bonds.
alpha 1,6 glycosidic bonds.
alpha 1,4 glycosidic bonds.
alpha 1,2 glycosidic bonds.
10. If a new species of plant were discovered that could utilize geothermal
energy for its metabolic processes, how would this relate to the citrate cycle
and ecosystem dynamics?
It would imply that the plant is less complex than existing species.
It would mean that the plant does not interact with other organisms.
It would indicate that the plant relies solely on photosynthesis for
energy.
It would suggest a new metabolic pathway that could influence
nutrient recycling in its ecosystem.
11. If a biochemical reaction has an equilibrium constant (Keq) of 10, what can be
inferred about the standard free energy change (delta Gº') for this reaction?
The standard free energy change (delta Gº') cannot be determined
without additional information.
The standard free energy change (delta Gº') is negative, indicating
that the reaction is spontaneous.
The standard free energy change (delta Gº') is positive, indicating that
the reaction is non-spontaneous.
The standard free energy change (delta Gº') is zero, indicating that the
reaction is at equilibrium.
