Question 1

Which of the following best distinguishes an element from a compound?

Accepted Answer

An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into other substances by chemical means, while a compound is composed of two or more elements chemically combined.

Question 2

Which four elements make up approximately 96% of living matter?

Accepted Answer

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen

Question 3

When drawing a simplified model of an atom, which subatomic particles are found in the nucleus?

Accepted Answer

Protons and neutrons

Question 4

Which of the following correctly distinguishes between atomic number and mass number?

Accepted Answer

Atomic number is the number of protons in an atom, while mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons.

Question 5

Which statement best explains why isotopes of an element are similar?

Accepted Answer

Isotopes have the same number of protons and electrons, which determines their chemical properties.

Question 6

Which of the following is a biological application that uses radioactive isotopes?

Accepted Answer

Using radioactive tracers to follow the movement of substances within organisms

Question 7

In a chemical reaction, which subatomic particle is primarily involved in bond formation?

Accepted Answer

Electrons

Question 8

Which of the following best distinguishes between covalent and ionic bonds?

Accepted Answer

Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms, while ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

Question 9

Which scenario best illustrates how a molecule’s shape can determine its biological function?

Accepted Answer

The complementary shapes of an enzyme and its substrate allow for specific binding and catalysis.

Question 10

Which of the following best distinguishes between hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds are specific interactions between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom, while van der Waals interactions are weak attractions due to transient local charges.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about chemical equilibrium is correct?

Accepted Answer

At chemical equilibrium, the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal.

Question 12

Given the chemical equation $2H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow 2H_2O$, which type of bond is formed between hydrogen and oxygen in water?

Accepted Answer

Covalent bond

Question 13

Which of the following is true regarding the atomic number ($Z$) and mass number ($A$) of an atom?

Accepted Answer

Atomic number ($Z$) is the number of protons, and mass number ($A$) is the sum of protons and neutrons: $A = Z + N$

Question 14

A radioactive isotope of carbon ($^{14}C$) is used in medical diagnostics. What property allows it to be used as a tracer?

Accepted Answer

It emits detectable radiation as it decays, allowing its movement to be tracked.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the role of electrons in chemical reactions?

Accepted Answer

Electrons are transferred or shared between atoms to form chemical bonds.

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct statement about covalent bonds?

Accepted Answer

Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Question 17

Which of the following is true about the difference between polar and nonpolar covalent bonds?

Accepted Answer

Polar covalent bonds have unequal sharing of electrons, while nonpolar covalent bonds have equal sharing.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Water’s polarity allows it to surround and separate ions, dissolving ionic compounds.

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world example of a chemical equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

The equilibrium between carbonic acid and bicarbonate in human blood helps maintain pH balance.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about hydrogen bonds is correct?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds are responsible for the unique properties of water, such as high surface tension and boiling point.

Study Notes: Chemical Elements, Atomic Structure, and Chemical Bonds in Biology

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards