Question 1

Which of the following best describes the charges and relative masses of protons, neutrons, and electrons?

Accepted Answer

Proton: positive charge, mass ≈ 1 amu; Neutron: neutral, mass ≈ 1 amu; Electron: negative charge, mass ≈ 1/1836 amu

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of a negative feedback loop in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Regulation of blood glucose by insulin and glucagon

Question 3

Which of the following best describes a covalent bond?

Accepted Answer

A bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms

Question 4

A solution with a pH of 3 is how many times more acidic than a solution with a pH of 6?

Accepted Answer

$10^3 = 1000$ times more acidic

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a property that makes water vital to life?

Accepted Answer

Water is a poor solvent for ionic compounds

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the difference between endergonic and exergonic reactions?

Accepted Answer

Endergonic reactions absorb energy, while exergonic reactions release energy

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of a buffer system in the human body?

Accepted Answer

The bicarbonate buffer system: $\mathrm{CO_2 + H_2O \leftrightarrow H_2CO_3 \leftrightarrow H^+ + HCO_3^-}$

Question 8

Which of the following best describes how monosaccharides join to form disaccharides?

Accepted Answer

By dehydration synthesis, removing a molecule of water to form a glycosidic bond

Question 9

Which of the following is a correct example of a decomposition reaction?

Accepted Answer

$\mathrm{2H_2O_2 \rightarrow 2H_2O + O_2}$

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why the sodium-potassium pump is considered active transport?

Accepted Answer

It moves ions against their concentration gradients using ATP

Question 11

If a red blood cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, what will most likely happen?

Accepted Answer

Water will enter the cell, causing it to swell and possibly burst (lyse)

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a type of specialized cell junction?

Accepted Answer

Plasmodesmata

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the process of protein folding?

Accepted Answer

The polypeptide chain folds into a specific three-dimensional shape determined by its amino acid sequence

Question 14

Which of the following is a property of acids?

Accepted Answer

They donate protons ($\mathrm{H^+}$) in solution

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct description of diffusion?

Accepted Answer

The movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct example of a synthesis reaction?

Accepted Answer

$\mathrm{A + B \rightarrow AB}$

Question 17

Which of the following factors would NOT increase the rate of a chemical reaction?

Accepted Answer

Decreasing the temperature

Question 18

Which of the following best describes a phospholipid?

Accepted Answer

A molecule with a hydrophilic phosphate head and two hydrophobic fatty acid tails

Question 19

Which of the following is the monomer of nucleic acids, and how do they join to form polymers?

Accepted Answer

Nucleotide; joined by phosphodiester bonds through dehydration synthesis

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the function of desmosomes in cells?

Accepted Answer

They anchor adjacent cells together, providing mechanical strength

Essential Concepts in Anatomy & Physiology: Chemistry, Biomolecules, and Cell Structure

Study Guide - Practice Questions