Chapter 1—The Facts of Life: Chemistry Is the Logic of Biological Phenomena
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. All are distinctive properties of living systems EXCEPT:
a. Living organisms are relatively simple.
b. Biological structures play a role in the organism's existence.
c. The living state is characterized by the flow of energy through the organism.
d. Living organisms are highly organized.
e. Living organisms are actively engaged in energy transformation.
ANS: A PTS: 1
2. Even though the building blocks have fairly simple structures, macromolecules are
exquisitely organized in their intricate three-dimensional architecture known as:
a. configuration.
b. conformation.
c. sequence.
d. Lewis structure.
e. structural maturation.
ANS: B PTS: 1
3. All of the following activities require the presence of ATP or NADPH EXCEPT:
a. osmoregulation.
b. biosynthesis.
c. movement of muscles.
d. light emission.
e. none, they are all energy-requiring activities.
ANS: E PTS: 1
4. Which are the four most common elements in the human body?
a. hydrogen, calcium, oxygen and sodium
b. hydrogen, oxygen, iron and carbon
c. hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen
d. oxygen, carbon, iron and nitrogen
e. oxygen, silicon, calcium and nitrogen
ANS: C PTS: 1
5. What makes carbon such an abundant element in biomolecules?
a. It can form up to five bonds by sharing its electrons.
b. It forms only single bonds.
c. It provides low bond energy.
d. It forms stable covalent bonds by electron pair sharing.
e. It does not usually bond to other carbons, allowing a more diverse combination of
elements.
ANS: D PTS: 1
, 6. The major precursors for the formation of biomolecules include all EXCEPT:
a. nitrate and dinitrogen.
b. water.
c. carbon dioxide.
d. ammonium ion.
e. none, all are major precursors.
ANS: E PTS: 1
7. From the major precursors, the complex biomolecules are made in which sequence?
a. metabolites, building blocks, macromolecules, supramolecular complexes
b. macromolecules, building blocks, metabolites, supramolecular complexes
c. building blocks, macromolecules, supramolecular complexes, metabolites
d. metabolites, macromolecules, building blocks, supramolecular complexes
e. metabolites, building blocks, supramolecular complexes, macromolecules
ANS: A PTS: 1
8. The structural integrity of supramolecular complexes (assemblies) of multiple components
are bonded to each other by all of the following forces EXCEPT:
a. covalent bonds
b. van der Waals forces
c. hydrogen bonds
d. hydrophobic interactions
e. ionic interactions
ANS: A PTS: 1
9. Organelles have what three attributes?
a. Only in prokaryotic cells, membrane bound, have a dedicated set of tasks.
b. Only in eukaryotic cells, membrane bound, have a dedicated set of tasks.
c. Only in eukaryotic cells, seldom membrane bound, have a dedicated set of tasks.
d. Only in prokaryotic cells, membrane bound, multi-functional.
e. In both prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells, membrane bound, have a dedicated set of
tasks.
ANS: B PTS: 1
10. Membrane structures are maintained primarily by:
a. hydrophobic interactions.
b. covalent bonds.
c. hydrogen bonds.
d. non-spontaneous assembly.
e. ionic interactions.
ANS: A PTS: 1
11. All of the following are properties of membranes EXCEPT:
a. supramolecular assemblies.
b. define boundaries of cellular components.
c. spontaneous assemblies resulting from hydrophobic interactions.
d. identical protein and lipid composition in the major organelles.
e. none, all are true.
ANS: D PTS: 1
,12. Which of the following properly ranks the non-covalent interactions in order of increasing
strength?
a. ionic, hydrogen bond, van der Waals
b. van der Waals, hydrogen bond, ionic
c. van der Waals, ionic, hydrogen bond
d. hydrogen bond, van der Waals, ionic
e. cannot be determined since ionic interactions and hydrogen bonds often vary in strength
ANS: E PTS: 1
13. Weak forces that create constantly forming and breaking interactions at physiological
temperatures, but cumulatively impart stability to biological structures generated by their
collective activity include all EXCEPT:
a. hydrogen bonds
b. van der Waals forces
c. covalent bonds
d. ionic interactions
e. hydrophobic interactions
ANS: C PTS: 1
14. Which of the following is a true statement about non-covalent bonds?
a. They are all the result of electron sharing.
b. Hydrogen bonds, ionic bond and hydrophobic interactions all carry a degree of specificity
while van der Waals interactions are induced.
c. All noncovalent bonds are formed between oppositely charged polar functions.
d. Van der Waals interactions are not affected by structural complementarity, while hydrogen
bonds, ionic bonds and hydrophobic interaction are affected by structural
complementarity.
e. Hydrogen, van der Waals, and hydrophobic interactions do not form linear bonds.
ANS: B PTS: 1
15. Which of the statements about the nature of the hydrogen bond is true?
a. The donor is a hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon.
b. The more linear the bond, the stronger the interaction.
c. The acceptor must be similar in electronegativity to hydrogen.
d. It is a type of covalent bond.
e. A hydrogen bond is weaker than van der Waals forces.
ANS: B PTS: 1
16. Electrostatic forces
a. include ionic interactions between negatively charged carboxyl groups and positively
charged amino groups.
b. average about 2 kJ/mol in aqueous solutions.
c. typically are directional like hydrogen bonds.
d. require a precise fit like van der Waals interactions.
e. include ionic, induced dipole and permanent dipole interactions.
ANS: A PTS: 1
, 17. All are true about hydrophobic interactions EXCEPT:
a. Hydrophobic interactions result from the strong tendency of water to exclude nonpolar
groups or molecules.
b. Hydrophobic interactions result because water molecules prefer the stronger interactions
that they share with one another, compared to their interactions with nonpolar molecules.
c. Hydrophobic interactions result from hydrogen bonds between water and the hydrophobic
molecules.
d. The preferential interactions between water molecules "exclude" hydrophobic substances
from aqueous solution and drive the tendency of nonpolar molecules to cluster together.
e. Hydrophobic interactions result in nonpolar regions of biological molecules being buried
in the molecule's interior to exclude them from the aqueous milieu.
ANS: C PTS: 1
18. Which of the following molecular recognition mechanisms is based upon structural
complementarity?
a. interaction of a protein with a metabolite.
b. the association of a strand of DNA with its complementary strand.
c. the ability for a sperm cell to bind to an egg.
d. the binding of a hormone to its receptor.
e. all of the above
ANS: E PTS: 1
19. All of the statements about structural complementarity are true EXCEPT:
a. Weak chemical forces mediate it.
b. It produces strong irreversible interactions.
c. It is the interaction of a biological macromolecule and its ligand.
d. It is the basis of many biological functions.
e. It is the means of recognition in bimolecular interactions.
ANS: B PTS: 1
20. Which of the following statements regarding molecular recognition is correct?
a. Covalent bonds are a common interaction used in molecular recognition.
b. Molecular recognition takes place only between protein molecules.
c. For molecular recognition to occur, complementarity of the molecules is required.
d. Hydrogen bonds are not effective mediators of molecular recognition due to their low
strength.
e. None of the above are correct.
ANS: C PTS: 1
21. Biological molecules are functionally active only within a narrow range of environmental
conditions with denaturation occurring in all EXCEPT:
a. dramatic increase in temperature.
b. change in ionic strength.
c. refrigeration.
d. addition of strong acid or base.
e. none, all will denature biological macromolecules.
ANS: C PTS: 1
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. All are distinctive properties of living systems EXCEPT:
a. Living organisms are relatively simple.
b. Biological structures play a role in the organism's existence.
c. The living state is characterized by the flow of energy through the organism.
d. Living organisms are highly organized.
e. Living organisms are actively engaged in energy transformation.
ANS: A PTS: 1
2. Even though the building blocks have fairly simple structures, macromolecules are
exquisitely organized in their intricate three-dimensional architecture known as:
a. configuration.
b. conformation.
c. sequence.
d. Lewis structure.
e. structural maturation.
ANS: B PTS: 1
3. All of the following activities require the presence of ATP or NADPH EXCEPT:
a. osmoregulation.
b. biosynthesis.
c. movement of muscles.
d. light emission.
e. none, they are all energy-requiring activities.
ANS: E PTS: 1
4. Which are the four most common elements in the human body?
a. hydrogen, calcium, oxygen and sodium
b. hydrogen, oxygen, iron and carbon
c. hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen
d. oxygen, carbon, iron and nitrogen
e. oxygen, silicon, calcium and nitrogen
ANS: C PTS: 1
5. What makes carbon such an abundant element in biomolecules?
a. It can form up to five bonds by sharing its electrons.
b. It forms only single bonds.
c. It provides low bond energy.
d. It forms stable covalent bonds by electron pair sharing.
e. It does not usually bond to other carbons, allowing a more diverse combination of
elements.
ANS: D PTS: 1
, 6. The major precursors for the formation of biomolecules include all EXCEPT:
a. nitrate and dinitrogen.
b. water.
c. carbon dioxide.
d. ammonium ion.
e. none, all are major precursors.
ANS: E PTS: 1
7. From the major precursors, the complex biomolecules are made in which sequence?
a. metabolites, building blocks, macromolecules, supramolecular complexes
b. macromolecules, building blocks, metabolites, supramolecular complexes
c. building blocks, macromolecules, supramolecular complexes, metabolites
d. metabolites, macromolecules, building blocks, supramolecular complexes
e. metabolites, building blocks, supramolecular complexes, macromolecules
ANS: A PTS: 1
8. The structural integrity of supramolecular complexes (assemblies) of multiple components
are bonded to each other by all of the following forces EXCEPT:
a. covalent bonds
b. van der Waals forces
c. hydrogen bonds
d. hydrophobic interactions
e. ionic interactions
ANS: A PTS: 1
9. Organelles have what three attributes?
a. Only in prokaryotic cells, membrane bound, have a dedicated set of tasks.
b. Only in eukaryotic cells, membrane bound, have a dedicated set of tasks.
c. Only in eukaryotic cells, seldom membrane bound, have a dedicated set of tasks.
d. Only in prokaryotic cells, membrane bound, multi-functional.
e. In both prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells, membrane bound, have a dedicated set of
tasks.
ANS: B PTS: 1
10. Membrane structures are maintained primarily by:
a. hydrophobic interactions.
b. covalent bonds.
c. hydrogen bonds.
d. non-spontaneous assembly.
e. ionic interactions.
ANS: A PTS: 1
11. All of the following are properties of membranes EXCEPT:
a. supramolecular assemblies.
b. define boundaries of cellular components.
c. spontaneous assemblies resulting from hydrophobic interactions.
d. identical protein and lipid composition in the major organelles.
e. none, all are true.
ANS: D PTS: 1
,12. Which of the following properly ranks the non-covalent interactions in order of increasing
strength?
a. ionic, hydrogen bond, van der Waals
b. van der Waals, hydrogen bond, ionic
c. van der Waals, ionic, hydrogen bond
d. hydrogen bond, van der Waals, ionic
e. cannot be determined since ionic interactions and hydrogen bonds often vary in strength
ANS: E PTS: 1
13. Weak forces that create constantly forming and breaking interactions at physiological
temperatures, but cumulatively impart stability to biological structures generated by their
collective activity include all EXCEPT:
a. hydrogen bonds
b. van der Waals forces
c. covalent bonds
d. ionic interactions
e. hydrophobic interactions
ANS: C PTS: 1
14. Which of the following is a true statement about non-covalent bonds?
a. They are all the result of electron sharing.
b. Hydrogen bonds, ionic bond and hydrophobic interactions all carry a degree of specificity
while van der Waals interactions are induced.
c. All noncovalent bonds are formed between oppositely charged polar functions.
d. Van der Waals interactions are not affected by structural complementarity, while hydrogen
bonds, ionic bonds and hydrophobic interaction are affected by structural
complementarity.
e. Hydrogen, van der Waals, and hydrophobic interactions do not form linear bonds.
ANS: B PTS: 1
15. Which of the statements about the nature of the hydrogen bond is true?
a. The donor is a hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon.
b. The more linear the bond, the stronger the interaction.
c. The acceptor must be similar in electronegativity to hydrogen.
d. It is a type of covalent bond.
e. A hydrogen bond is weaker than van der Waals forces.
ANS: B PTS: 1
16. Electrostatic forces
a. include ionic interactions between negatively charged carboxyl groups and positively
charged amino groups.
b. average about 2 kJ/mol in aqueous solutions.
c. typically are directional like hydrogen bonds.
d. require a precise fit like van der Waals interactions.
e. include ionic, induced dipole and permanent dipole interactions.
ANS: A PTS: 1
, 17. All are true about hydrophobic interactions EXCEPT:
a. Hydrophobic interactions result from the strong tendency of water to exclude nonpolar
groups or molecules.
b. Hydrophobic interactions result because water molecules prefer the stronger interactions
that they share with one another, compared to their interactions with nonpolar molecules.
c. Hydrophobic interactions result from hydrogen bonds between water and the hydrophobic
molecules.
d. The preferential interactions between water molecules "exclude" hydrophobic substances
from aqueous solution and drive the tendency of nonpolar molecules to cluster together.
e. Hydrophobic interactions result in nonpolar regions of biological molecules being buried
in the molecule's interior to exclude them from the aqueous milieu.
ANS: C PTS: 1
18. Which of the following molecular recognition mechanisms is based upon structural
complementarity?
a. interaction of a protein with a metabolite.
b. the association of a strand of DNA with its complementary strand.
c. the ability for a sperm cell to bind to an egg.
d. the binding of a hormone to its receptor.
e. all of the above
ANS: E PTS: 1
19. All of the statements about structural complementarity are true EXCEPT:
a. Weak chemical forces mediate it.
b. It produces strong irreversible interactions.
c. It is the interaction of a biological macromolecule and its ligand.
d. It is the basis of many biological functions.
e. It is the means of recognition in bimolecular interactions.
ANS: B PTS: 1
20. Which of the following statements regarding molecular recognition is correct?
a. Covalent bonds are a common interaction used in molecular recognition.
b. Molecular recognition takes place only between protein molecules.
c. For molecular recognition to occur, complementarity of the molecules is required.
d. Hydrogen bonds are not effective mediators of molecular recognition due to their low
strength.
e. None of the above are correct.
ANS: C PTS: 1
21. Biological molecules are functionally active only within a narrow range of environmental
conditions with denaturation occurring in all EXCEPT:
a. dramatic increase in temperature.
b. change in ionic strength.
c. refrigeration.
d. addition of strong acid or base.
e. none, all will denature biological macromolecules.
ANS: C PTS: 1
