Question 1

Which of the following best describes the octet rule as it applies to atoms in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Atoms tend to lose, gain, or share electrons to obtain a complete outer shell with eight electrons.

Question 2

A sodium atom (Na) has an atomic number of 11 and an atomic mass of 23. How many neutrons does a typical sodium atom have?

Accepted Answer

$23 - 11 = 12$ neutrons

Question 3

Which of the following statements about water is correct?

Accepted Answer

Water has a high specific heat, which helps maintain a stable body temperature.

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why table salt (NaCl) dissolves in water?

Accepted Answer

The polar water molecules surround and separate the Na$^+$ and Cl$^-$ ions, forming hydration shells.

Question 5

A patient is given a medication that acts as a buffer in the blood. What is the primary function of this buffer?

Accepted Answer

To prevent drastic changes in pH by accepting or donating H$^+$ ions as needed.

Question 6

Which of the following is a correct statement about the structure of a phospholipid?

Accepted Answer

It has a hydrophilic (polar) head and two hydrophobic (nonpolar) tails.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid in water?

Accepted Answer

A strong acid dissociates completely in water, releasing more H$^+$ ions than a weak acid.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a polar covalent bond?

Accepted Answer

The bond between oxygen and hydrogen in a water molecule ($\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{H}$)

Question 9

A solution has a pH of 5. How does its hydrogen ion concentration compare to a solution with a pH of 7?

Accepted Answer

It has 100 times more H$^+$ ions.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the role of glycogen in the human body?

Accepted Answer

It serves as a storage form of glucose in the liver and skeletal muscle.

Question 11

Which of the following is true regarding the denaturation of proteins?

Accepted Answer

Denaturation disrupts the protein's structure and function, often irreversibly.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why fats and cholesterol require carrier proteins to be transported in the blood?

Accepted Answer

They are hydrophobic and do not dissolve in water.

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a macromolecule and its monomer?

Accepted Answer

Protein – amino acid

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the difference between a suspension and a solution?

Accepted Answer

A suspension contains larger particles that settle out unless in motion, while a solution contains very small particles that remain mixed.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct statement about ATP (adenosine triphosphate)?

Accepted Answer

ATP stores energy in the covalent bonds between its phosphate groups.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why water is considered the 'universal solvent'?

Accepted Answer

Water's polarity allows it to dissolve many polar and ionic substances.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct description of a hydrogen bond?

Accepted Answer

A weak attraction between a partially positive hydrogen atom and a partially negative atom in another molecule.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the relationship between electronegativity and the periodic table?

Accepted Answer

Electronegativity increases from left to right across a row and from bottom to top in a column.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a real-life application of the concept of hydrophobic exclusion?

Accepted Answer

The formation of cell membranes, where hydrophobic tails of phospholipids are excluded from water.

Atoms, Ions, and Molecules: Foundations for Anatomy & Physiology

Study Guide - Practice Questions