Question 1

Which of the following best describes an emergent property in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

A property that cannot be predicted from the simple sum of the parts and arises from complex interactions.

Question 2

According to the first law of thermodynamics, which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

The total amount of energy in the universe is constant.

Question 3

A muscle cell contracts by converting stored energy into movement. Which forms of energy are involved in this process?

Accepted Answer

Potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of transport work in a cell?

Accepted Answer

Moving ions across a membrane to create a concentration gradient.

Question 5

Which equation correctly represents the free energy change ($$\Delta G) $$for a chemical reaction?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta G = G_{products} - G_{reactants}$$

Question 6

Which of the following best describes an exergonic reaction?

Accepted Answer

A reaction that releases energy and has products with less free energy than reactants.

Question 7

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions by:

Accepted Answer

Decreasing the activation energy required.

Question 8

A patient has elevated levels of creatine kinase (CK) in their blood. This is most likely indicative of:

Accepted Answer

Myocardial infarction (heart attack) or muscle disease.

Question 9

Which of the following statements about enzyme activity and pH is correct?

Accepted Answer

Most human enzymes have optimal activity near pH 7.4.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of feedback inhibition in metabolic pathways?

Accepted Answer

A product of a pathway inhibits an enzyme earlier in the pathway.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the difference between catabolism and anabolism?

Accepted Answer

Catabolism breaks down large molecules to release energy; anabolism builds large molecules from small ones.

Question 12

Which of the following equations represents the hydrolysis of ATP?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{ATP} + \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O} ightarrow \mathrm{ADP} + \mathrm{P}_i + 	ext{energy}$$

Question 13

During aerobic metabolism, which pathway produces the most ATP per molecule of glucose?

Accepted Answer

Electron transport chain

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct sequence of events in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Transcription → Translation → Post-translational modification

Question 15

A mutation changes the second base of a codon from U to A. What is the most likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

A different amino acid may be incorporated, potentially altering protein function.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why enzymes are specific to their substrates?

Accepted Answer

The active site of an enzyme has a unique shape that fits only specific substrates.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of an oxidation-reduction reaction in metabolism?

Accepted Answer

The transfer of electrons from NADH to the electron transport chain.

Question 18

A cell is observed to have a high ratio of ATP to ADP. What does this indicate about its metabolic state?

Accepted Answer

The cell is likely in a high-energy state and may slow down catabolic pathways.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of alternative splicing in protein synthesis?

Accepted Answer

It allows a single gene to code for multiple proteins.

Question 20

A patient is unable to efficiently break down glucose in the absence of oxygen. Which metabolic pathway is most likely impaired?

Accepted Answer

Anaerobic metabolism (fermentation)

Ch 4 Energy and Cellular Metabolism: Foundations of Human Physiology

Study Guide - Practice Questions