Question 1

Which of the following elements is NOT one of the four most common elements found in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Phosphorus

Question 2

A trace element is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

An element required in minute amounts for proper biological function

Question 3

Which subatomic particle determines the atomic number of an element?

Accepted Answer

Proton

Question 4

How are electrons arranged in the shells of an atom?

Accepted Answer

Electrons fill the lowest energy shell first, then move to higher shells

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Covalent bond

Question 6

A molecule of water ($$\mathrm{H_2O}) is $$considered polar because:

Accepted Answer

Oxygen is more electronegative, creating a partial negative charge

Question 7

Which of the following best describes a hydrogen bond?

Accepted Answer

A weak attraction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom

Question 8

Which interaction is responsible for the temporary attraction between nonpolar molecules?

Accepted Answer

Van der Waals interaction

Question 9

What is the significance of a molecule's shape in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

It affects how the molecule interacts with other molecules

Question 10

Which of the following is true about isotopes?

Accepted Answer

Isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons

Question 11

A sodium atom ($$\mathrm{Na}) $$loses one electron to become a sodium ion ($$\mathrm{Na^+}). $$What type of ion is this?

Accepted Answer

Cation

Question 12

Which formula correctly represents the molecular formula for glucose?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6$}$$

Question 13

Which of the following best describes a chemical reaction?

Accepted Answer

A process in which atoms are rearranged to form new substances

Question 14

If an atom has an atomic number of 8 and a mass number of 16, how many neutrons does it have?

Accepted Answer

8

Question 15

Which of the following statements about electronegativity is correct?

Accepted Answer

Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a bond

Question 16

Which of the following is a product in the chemical reaction: $$\mathrm{2H_2 + O_2$ \rightarrow 2H_2O}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{H_2O}$$

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why ionic bonds form between sodium ($$\mathrm{Na}) $$and chlorine ($$\mathrm{Cl}$$)?

Accepted Answer

Sodium donates an electron to chlorine, resulting in oppositely charged ions that attract

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a type of chemical bond?

Accepted Answer

Neutron bond

Question 19

A compound is defined as:

Accepted Answer

A substance made of two or more different elements chemically combined

Question 20

Which of the following best describes a valence shell?

Accepted Answer

The outermost shell containing the electrons involved in bonding

Study Guide: Basic Chemistry for Biology

Study Guide - Practice Questions