NU 110/NU110 Exam 1 | Integrated Human
Sciences (2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. Which four elements make up approximately 96% of the human body's mass?
A) Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen
B) Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur
C) Sodium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Iron
D) Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Calcium
Correct Answer: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen
Rationale: Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen are the most abundant
elements in the body, with oxygen alone accounting for about 65% of mass.
These elements combine to form water, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Calcium and phosphorus are important but present in smaller amounts.
2. A covalent bond is formed when atoms:
A) Transfer electrons
B) Share electron pairs
C) Are attracted by opposite charges
D) Interact through hydrogen
Correct Answer: Share electron pairs
Rationale: In a covalent bond, atoms share one or more pairs of electrons,
creating a stable molecule. This is the strongest type of chemical bond. Ionic
,bonds involve electron transfer, hydrogen bonds are weaker electrostatic
attractions, and opposite charges attract ions.
3. A solution with a pH of 3 has how many more hydrogen ions than a solution
with a pH of 5?
A) 10 times more
B) 2 times more
C) 100 times more
D) 20 times more
Correct Answer: 100 times more
Rationale: The pH scale is logarithmic; each unit change represents a tenfold
difference in H⁺ concentration. A pH of 3 versus 5 is two units lower, so 10 × 10 =
100 times more hydrogen ions. Thus, the acidity is 100 times greater.
4. In the human body, glycogen is stored primarily in the:
A) Brain and kidneys
B) Spleen and pancreas
C) Heart and lungs
D) Liver and skeletal muscles
Correct Answer: Liver and skeletal muscles
Rationale: Glycogen is the storage form of glucose, found mainly in liver and
muscle tissue. The liver releases glucose into the bloodstream to maintain blood
,glucose levels; muscles use glycogen locally for energy during contraction. Brain
and kidneys do not store significant glycogen.
5. Which of the following best describes a cation?
A) An ion with a positive charge
B) An atom that gains a neutron
C) A molecule with no charge
D) An ion with a negative charge
Correct Answer: An ion with a positive charge
Rationale: A cation forms when an atom loses one or more electrons, resulting
in a net positive charge. For example, Na⁺ is a cation. Anions are negatively
charged, neutral molecules have no charge, and gaining a neutron creates an
isotope, not an ion.
6. The primary function of ATP in cells is to:
A) Store genetic information
B) Serve as an energy carrier
C) Build cell membranes
D) Catalyze protein synthesis
Correct Answer: Serve as an energy carrier
Rationale: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) captures chemical energy from
exergonic reactions and transfers it to drive endergonic processes such as
, muscle contraction, active transport, and biosynthesis. It is not a storage
molecule for information, membrane lipids, or a catalyst.
7. Which organic molecule class includes enzymes?
A) Nucleic acids
B) Lipids
C) Proteins
D) Carbohydrates
Correct Answer: Proteins
Rationale: Enzymes are globular proteins that act as biological catalysts,
lowering activation energy for chemical reactions. They are composed of amino
acid chains folded into specific shapes. Nucleic acids store genetic code, lipids
form membranes and energy stores, and carbohydrates provide fuel.
8. Transcription is the process by which:
A) DNA is replicated
B) mRNA is synthesized from a DNA template
C) Proteins are assembled from amino acids
D) Lipids are metabolized
Correct Answer: mRNA is synthesized from a DNA template
Rationale: During transcription, RNA polymerase reads a gene on DNA and
produces a complementary messenger RNA strand. Translation then uses that
Sciences (2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. Which four elements make up approximately 96% of the human body's mass?
A) Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen
B) Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur
C) Sodium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Iron
D) Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Calcium
Correct Answer: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen
Rationale: Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen are the most abundant
elements in the body, with oxygen alone accounting for about 65% of mass.
These elements combine to form water, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Calcium and phosphorus are important but present in smaller amounts.
2. A covalent bond is formed when atoms:
A) Transfer electrons
B) Share electron pairs
C) Are attracted by opposite charges
D) Interact through hydrogen
Correct Answer: Share electron pairs
Rationale: In a covalent bond, atoms share one or more pairs of electrons,
creating a stable molecule. This is the strongest type of chemical bond. Ionic
,bonds involve electron transfer, hydrogen bonds are weaker electrostatic
attractions, and opposite charges attract ions.
3. A solution with a pH of 3 has how many more hydrogen ions than a solution
with a pH of 5?
A) 10 times more
B) 2 times more
C) 100 times more
D) 20 times more
Correct Answer: 100 times more
Rationale: The pH scale is logarithmic; each unit change represents a tenfold
difference in H⁺ concentration. A pH of 3 versus 5 is two units lower, so 10 × 10 =
100 times more hydrogen ions. Thus, the acidity is 100 times greater.
4. In the human body, glycogen is stored primarily in the:
A) Brain and kidneys
B) Spleen and pancreas
C) Heart and lungs
D) Liver and skeletal muscles
Correct Answer: Liver and skeletal muscles
Rationale: Glycogen is the storage form of glucose, found mainly in liver and
muscle tissue. The liver releases glucose into the bloodstream to maintain blood
,glucose levels; muscles use glycogen locally for energy during contraction. Brain
and kidneys do not store significant glycogen.
5. Which of the following best describes a cation?
A) An ion with a positive charge
B) An atom that gains a neutron
C) A molecule with no charge
D) An ion with a negative charge
Correct Answer: An ion with a positive charge
Rationale: A cation forms when an atom loses one or more electrons, resulting
in a net positive charge. For example, Na⁺ is a cation. Anions are negatively
charged, neutral molecules have no charge, and gaining a neutron creates an
isotope, not an ion.
6. The primary function of ATP in cells is to:
A) Store genetic information
B) Serve as an energy carrier
C) Build cell membranes
D) Catalyze protein synthesis
Correct Answer: Serve as an energy carrier
Rationale: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) captures chemical energy from
exergonic reactions and transfers it to drive endergonic processes such as
, muscle contraction, active transport, and biosynthesis. It is not a storage
molecule for information, membrane lipids, or a catalyst.
7. Which organic molecule class includes enzymes?
A) Nucleic acids
B) Lipids
C) Proteins
D) Carbohydrates
Correct Answer: Proteins
Rationale: Enzymes are globular proteins that act as biological catalysts,
lowering activation energy for chemical reactions. They are composed of amino
acid chains folded into specific shapes. Nucleic acids store genetic code, lipids
form membranes and energy stores, and carbohydrates provide fuel.
8. Transcription is the process by which:
A) DNA is replicated
B) mRNA is synthesized from a DNA template
C) Proteins are assembled from amino acids
D) Lipids are metabolized
Correct Answer: mRNA is synthesized from a DNA template
Rationale: During transcription, RNA polymerase reads a gene on DNA and
produces a complementary messenger RNA strand. Translation then uses that
