PORTAGE BIOCHEMISTRY MODULE 1EXAM 2025 | ALL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS |ALREADY GRADED A+ | VERIFIED ANSWERS
| LATEST VERSION 2025
Definition of biochemistry - CORRECT ANSWER-chemistry of life; how properties of organisms
relate to their molecules
What are the 3 things biochemists study? - CORRECT ANSWER-1. The relationship between
structure and function of biomolecules
2. Chemical reactions of organisms (metabolism)
3. Communication within and among organisms
What are bulk elements? - CORRECT ANSWER-Elements that are abundant in living organisms
What are trace elements? - CORRECT ANSWER-Elements that are less abundant in organisms
but still crucial for life
Name the bulk elements (10) - CORRECT ANSWER-H, Na, K, Ca, C, N, O, P, S, Cl
Name the trace elements (13) - CORRECT ANSWER-Mg, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, W, Se,
I
What's another word for a firefly? - CORRECT ANSWER-Lightning bug
Explain the chemical reaction of lightning bugs - CORRECT ANSWER-The chemical reaction is
called bioluminescence. Proteins regulate, produce, and degrade the light-emitting compound
called luciferin. Luciferin, when acted upon by a protein, glows as bugs move. This chemical
reaction is regulated by the protein (enzyme) called luciferase.
How many naturally occurring elements exist? How many are found in living organisms and
what kind of elements? - CORRECT ANSWER-90 naturally occurring elements, less than 30
elements are found in living organisms.
Most of these 30 elements are smaller non-metals.
Why are smaller elements favored for living organisms? - CORRECT ANSWER-They can form
stable, covalent bonds
How are strong bonds formed? - CORRECT ANSWER-Strong bonds form by significant overlap of
atoms, such as carbon and hydrogen, permitting them to share electrons
Why is the strong bond good for living organisms? - CORRECT ANSWER-The bond that forms
requires significant energy to break it. This means the bonds can withstand mechanical and
thermal pressures through the growth of hair/skin for protection.
, Do larger elements form stable covalent bonds? - CORRECT ANSWER-No
Describe the role of Iron as a larger element - CORRECT ANSWER-Iron has a critical role in
hemoglobin for oxygen transport in vertebrates.
Forms an ion capable of binding to oxygen.
Describe H and O in H2O - CORRECT ANSWER-Both H and O are found in large amounts. They
are small atoms that form strong bonds. When bonded as H2O, they form a small, polar
molecule that solvates and dissolves many compounds.
H2O makes up ___% or more of living things - CORRECT ANSWER-70%
Some plant species are ___% water by mass - CORRECT ANSWER-90%
What is the "medium" of life and why? - CORRECT ANSWER-Water, it is found in all cells and
multicellular organisms
What is the shape and bond angle of water? Explain its bond angle - CORRECT ANSWER-Water
is shown in a BENT structure with 104.5 degree bond angle due to the repulsion of electrons in
chemical bonds.
Name the four common molecular shapes of simple compounds, their bond angles, and their
common description - CORRECT ANSWER-Linear: 180 degrees, common in CO2 and triple bonds
Trigonal Planar: 120 degrees, common with double bonds
Trigonal Pyramidal: 107.5 degrees, common in nitrogen atoms
Tetrahedral: 109.5 degrees, common with carbon atoms with all single bonds
What is organic chemistry? - CORRECT ANSWER-focuses on chemical and physical properties of
carbon compounds
What is inorganic chemistry? - CORRECT ANSWER-focuses on metals, minerals, and other non-
organic compounds
What is carbon's nickname? - CORRECT ANSWER-superglue of chemical world
What does carbon have the ability to? - CORRECT ANSWER-ability to form stable covalent
bonds in unique combination
Describe the properties of carbon (5) - CORRECT ANSWER--Has 4 valence electrons permitting it
to form 4 bonds
-Forms long chains of carbons (polymers)
-forms double and triple bonds
-forms cyclic compounds
AND CORRECT ANSWERS |ALREADY GRADED A+ | VERIFIED ANSWERS
| LATEST VERSION 2025
Definition of biochemistry - CORRECT ANSWER-chemistry of life; how properties of organisms
relate to their molecules
What are the 3 things biochemists study? - CORRECT ANSWER-1. The relationship between
structure and function of biomolecules
2. Chemical reactions of organisms (metabolism)
3. Communication within and among organisms
What are bulk elements? - CORRECT ANSWER-Elements that are abundant in living organisms
What are trace elements? - CORRECT ANSWER-Elements that are less abundant in organisms
but still crucial for life
Name the bulk elements (10) - CORRECT ANSWER-H, Na, K, Ca, C, N, O, P, S, Cl
Name the trace elements (13) - CORRECT ANSWER-Mg, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, W, Se,
I
What's another word for a firefly? - CORRECT ANSWER-Lightning bug
Explain the chemical reaction of lightning bugs - CORRECT ANSWER-The chemical reaction is
called bioluminescence. Proteins regulate, produce, and degrade the light-emitting compound
called luciferin. Luciferin, when acted upon by a protein, glows as bugs move. This chemical
reaction is regulated by the protein (enzyme) called luciferase.
How many naturally occurring elements exist? How many are found in living organisms and
what kind of elements? - CORRECT ANSWER-90 naturally occurring elements, less than 30
elements are found in living organisms.
Most of these 30 elements are smaller non-metals.
Why are smaller elements favored for living organisms? - CORRECT ANSWER-They can form
stable, covalent bonds
How are strong bonds formed? - CORRECT ANSWER-Strong bonds form by significant overlap of
atoms, such as carbon and hydrogen, permitting them to share electrons
Why is the strong bond good for living organisms? - CORRECT ANSWER-The bond that forms
requires significant energy to break it. This means the bonds can withstand mechanical and
thermal pressures through the growth of hair/skin for protection.
, Do larger elements form stable covalent bonds? - CORRECT ANSWER-No
Describe the role of Iron as a larger element - CORRECT ANSWER-Iron has a critical role in
hemoglobin for oxygen transport in vertebrates.
Forms an ion capable of binding to oxygen.
Describe H and O in H2O - CORRECT ANSWER-Both H and O are found in large amounts. They
are small atoms that form strong bonds. When bonded as H2O, they form a small, polar
molecule that solvates and dissolves many compounds.
H2O makes up ___% or more of living things - CORRECT ANSWER-70%
Some plant species are ___% water by mass - CORRECT ANSWER-90%
What is the "medium" of life and why? - CORRECT ANSWER-Water, it is found in all cells and
multicellular organisms
What is the shape and bond angle of water? Explain its bond angle - CORRECT ANSWER-Water
is shown in a BENT structure with 104.5 degree bond angle due to the repulsion of electrons in
chemical bonds.
Name the four common molecular shapes of simple compounds, their bond angles, and their
common description - CORRECT ANSWER-Linear: 180 degrees, common in CO2 and triple bonds
Trigonal Planar: 120 degrees, common with double bonds
Trigonal Pyramidal: 107.5 degrees, common in nitrogen atoms
Tetrahedral: 109.5 degrees, common with carbon atoms with all single bonds
What is organic chemistry? - CORRECT ANSWER-focuses on chemical and physical properties of
carbon compounds
What is inorganic chemistry? - CORRECT ANSWER-focuses on metals, minerals, and other non-
organic compounds
What is carbon's nickname? - CORRECT ANSWER-superglue of chemical world
What does carbon have the ability to? - CORRECT ANSWER-ability to form stable covalent
bonds in unique combination
Describe the properties of carbon (5) - CORRECT ANSWER--Has 4 valence electrons permitting it
to form 4 bonds
-Forms long chains of carbons (polymers)
-forms double and triple bonds
-forms cyclic compounds
