- Study guides, Class notes & Summaries

This document includes the complete set of Midterm 1 exam questions with clear, correct solutions for CHEM 153A at UCLA. It covers foundational physical chemistry concepts for the life sciences, such as thermodynamic principles, energy changes, and introductory equilibrium and kinetics topics, aligned with the Fall 2026/2027 course content. The material is ideal for early-term review and exam preparation using accurate, solution-based practice.

This document contains the complete set of Midterm 2 exam questions with fully worked, correct solutions for CHEM 153A at UCLA. It focuses on core topics assessed in the second midterm, including thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, kinetics, and molecular energetics, aligned with the Fall 2026/2027 curriculum. The material is suitable for targeted revision and exam-focused practice using accurate, solution-based explanations.

CHEM 153A Midterm 1 Exam {fall 2025/26 Update} Questions and Complete Solutions – UCLA. Nonpolar amino acids - correct answer Glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, proline Polar amino acids - correct answer Serine, threonine, asparagine, glutamine, cysteine Positively charged (basic) amino acids - correct answer Lysine, arginine, histidine Negatively charged (acidic) amino acids - correct answer Aspartic acid, glutamic acid Aromatic amino acids - correct answer...

CHEM 153A Midterm 2 Exam {fall 2025/26 Update} Questions and Complete Solutions – UCLA. What mechanism allows for the formation of cyclic sugars? - correct answer Rotate the bond of the linear sugar, tip it on its side, the hydroxyl at C5 acts as a nucleophile and attacks the carbonyl. What are anomers? - correct answer They differ only in the newly formed chiral carbon (after ring formation). Can be α vs β. Glucose the α anomer is trans and the β anomer is cis (both pointing up!) ...

CHEM 153A Midterm 1 Exam {fall 2025/26 Update} Questions and Complete Solutions – UCLA.Equilibrium vs. Steady State? - correct answer *Reaction rates: -Equilibrium: rate of reverse reaction equal to rate of forward reaction -Steady state: rate of input into system is equal to rate of output from system *concentrations: - Steady State: fairly constant concentration of metabolites in the system (this is because rate of input == rate of output) - Equilibrium = concentrations of A and B ar...

CHEM 153A Midterm 2 Exam {fall 2026/2026 Update} Questions and Complete Solutions – UCLA. What mechanism allows for the formation of cyclic sugars? - correct answer cyclization (which is reversible) allowing for mutarotation cyclization is when the hydroxyl attached to C5 of the straight chain monosaccharide attacks the anomeric carbon (carbonyl); since the carbonyl is trigonal planar sp2 hybridization, the hydroxyl can attack from the front or back, forming both alpha and beta anomers Wha...

CHEM 153A FINAL Exam {fall 2026/2026 Update} Questions and Complete Solutions – UCLA. Hexokinase - correct answer Tissue location: all tissues Function: prevents glucose from diffusing out of the cell and prepares glucose for glycolysis Characteristics: low Km to work at lower [glucose]; inhibited by G6P Glucokinase - correct answer Tissue location: liver Function: activates PFK for glycogen synthesis; inhibits gluconeogenesis Characteristics: Km of 5 mM to work when [glucose] is high; ...

Chem 153A Final Study Guide {Latest Updated 2026/2027} Questions and Answers (Graded A+) - UCLA Why is the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) located in the cristae of the mitochondria? - correct answer Part of cellular respiration to create ATP. The cristae increases the surface area of the inner membrane which allows faster production of ATP since there's more places to do the process What is the functional significance of the folds in the inner mitochondrial membrane for the ETC? - correct ...

Chem 153A Final Learning Objectives Week 7 {Latest Updated 2026/2027} Questions and Answers (Graded A+) -UCLA What's a futile cycle? How are they prevented? - correct answer when two metabolic pathways run simultaneously in opposite directions (at same rates??) and have no overall effect/benefit other than to dissipate energy in the form of heat - no evolutionary benefit =>prevent by regulating metabolism via irreversible steps in pathway (deltaG<0, favorable) What is anabolism -...