Question 1

Which property of water allows it to climb up narrow tubes against gravity, as seen in plant xylem?

Accepted Answer

Capillarity

Question 2

A scientist adds a strong acid to a solution containing a biological buffer. What is the primary mechanism by which the buffer resists a drastic change in pH?

Accepted Answer

The buffer system reacts with the added acid to form weak acids, minimizing changes in $$[H^+]$$

Question 3

Which equation correctly represents the relationship between pH and hydrogen ion concentration?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{pH} = -\log_{10}[H^+]$$

Question 4

Why does water have a high specific heat compared to other substances?

Accepted Answer

Because hydrogen bonds between water molecules require more energy to break

Question 5

Which of the following best describes an acid according to the study materials?

Accepted Answer

A substance that donates protons ($$H^+) in $$solution

Question 6

A solution has a hydrogen ion concentration of $$1 	imes 10$$^{-5}$$ M. What is its pH?

Accepted Answer

pH = 5

Question 7

Which property of water is most important for cooling biological organisms, such as leaves during transpiration?

Accepted Answer

High heat of vaporization

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a result of water’s polar nature?

Accepted Answer

Water molecules repel each other and do not interact

Question 9

A lake remains liquid under freezing air temperatures, helping aquatic life survive. Which property of water is responsible for this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Water’s density decreases when it freezes, causing ice to float

Question 10

Which of the following best describes a base according to the study materials?

Accepted Answer

A substance that accepts protons

Question 11

If the pH of a solution changes from 7 to 5, how does the hydrogen ion concentration change?

Accepted Answer

It increases by 100 times

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct definition of a solvent?

Accepted Answer

A liquid into which a substance dissolves

Question 13

Which property of water allows insects to walk on its surface?

Accepted Answer

High surface tension due to hydrogen bonding

Question 14

A buffer system in blood involves carbonic acid ($$H_2CO_3) $$and bicarbonate ($$HCO_3$$^-$$). What happens when excess H$$^+$$ ions are added to the blood?

Accepted Answer

Bicarbonate ions react with $$H^+ to $$form carbonic acid, minimizing pH change

Question 15

Which of the following is a mixture that is completely uniform throughout?

Accepted Answer

Homogeneous mixture

Question 16

Which of the following equations represents the dissociation of water into hydrogen and hydroxide ions?

Accepted Answer

$$H_2O \rightarrow H^+ + OH^-$$

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a property of water resulting from hydrogen bonding?

Accepted Answer

Low surface tension

Question 18

A student mixes sugar into water and observes that it dissolves completely. What type of substance is sugar in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Solute

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why water is a good solvent for ionic compounds?

Accepted Answer

Water’s polar nature allows it to surround and separate ions

Question 20

Which of the following statements about pH in living cells is correct?

Accepted Answer

Most living cells have a pH around 7.0 to 7.4

Properties of Water, Acids, Bases, and Solutions in Biology

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