Question 1

Which of the following best describes an element?

Accepted Answer

A pure substance that cannot be broken down to any other substance by chemical means.

Question 2

Which subatomic particle determines the atomic number of an element?

Accepted Answer

Proton

Question 3

What is the main reason water has a high surface tension?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonding between water molecules

Question 4

Which property of water allows it to moderate temperature in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Its high specific heat due to hydrogen bonding

Question 5

A solution is made by dissolving table salt (NaCl) in water. In this scenario, which is the solvent?

Accepted Answer

Water

Question 6

Which of the following best describes a buffer in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

A substance that neutralizes acids and bases to maintain pH

Question 7

Which type of chemical bond is the strongest and involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms?

Accepted Answer

Covalent bond

Question 8

What is the main function of fats (lipids) in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Energy storage

Question 9

Which of the following statements about phospholipids is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

They are the main component of cell membranes, forming a bilayer.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Storing hereditary information

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct base pairing in DNA?

Accepted Answer

$$A - T$$

Question 12

A dehydration reaction in biological systems results in:

Accepted Answer

Sticking monomers together to build a macromolecule by removing a water molecule

Question 13

Which of the following is a trace element in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Magnesium

Question 14

What is the main difference between a molecule and a compound?

Accepted Answer

A molecule is made of two or more atoms bonded together, while a compound is made of two or more different elements bonded together.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes a hydrocarbon?

Accepted Answer

A molecule made of a long line of carbons with hydrogens attached to them.

Question 16

Which of the following is TRUE about unsaturated fatty acids?

Accepted Answer

They cause a kink in the chain due to double bonds.

Question 17

Which of the following is a property of RNA but NOT DNA?

Accepted Answer

Single stranded

Question 18

If a solution has a pH of 5, how many times more acidic is it than a solution with a pH of 7?

Accepted Answer

$$100 	imes$$

Question 19

Which of the following is a function of nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Transmitting hereditary information

Question 20

A protein is exposed to extreme heat and its structure unravels. This process is called:

Accepted Answer

Denaturation

General Biology: Foundations of Chemistry and Biological Molecules

Study Guide - Practice Questions