Question 1

Which of the following best describes a secondary (2°) amine?

Accepted Answer

A nitrogen atom bonded to two alkyl groups and one hydrogen atom.

Question 2

Which of the following compounds is a heterocyclic aromatic amine?

Accepted Answer

Pyridine

Question 3

Why do primary amines have higher boiling points than alkanes of similar molecular weight?

Accepted Answer

Primary amines can form hydrogen bonds with each other, while alkanes cannot.

Question 4

At physiological pH (7.4), which form of dopamine (pKa ≈ 10) predominates in the blood?

Accepted Answer

The protonated (conjugate acid) form

Question 5

Which of the following statements about quaternary ammonium salts is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

They have a nitrogen atom bonded to four carbon groups and carry a permanent positive charge.

Question 6

A patient is prescribed a drug containing an amine group. Why is the drug often administered as its ammonium salt?

Accepted Answer

To increase its water solubility and facilitate absorption in the body.

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why amides are more stable than esters?

Accepted Answer

The nitrogen in amides delocalizes its lone pair, stabilizing the carbonyl group.

Question 8

Which reaction is most likely to occur rapidly at room temperature?

Accepted Answer

Reaction of an amine with an acid anhydride to form an amide.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of penicillin?

Accepted Answer

It irreversibly inhibits transpeptidase by forming a covalent bond with the enzyme.

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct statement about the hydrolysis of amides?

Accepted Answer

Amide hydrolysis requires more vigorous conditions than ester hydrolysis.

Question 11

Which of the following neurotransmitters is derived from the amino acid tyrosine?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Question 12

What is the functional group present in all amides?

Accepted Answer

A carbonyl group bonded to a nitrogen atom

Question 13

Which of the following best describes a phosphodiester bond?

Accepted Answer

A bond connecting two nucleotides via a phosphate group and two ester linkages.

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct statement about the solubility of amines in water?

Accepted Answer

Low molecular-weight amines are completely soluble in water.

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why quaternary ammonium ions do not have a pKa?

Accepted Answer

They cannot lose a proton because all four bonds to nitrogen are to carbon atoms.

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct product of the reaction between pyridine and acetic acid?

Accepted Answer

Pyridinium acetate

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the structure of a β-lactam ring?

Accepted Answer

A four-membered cyclic amide

Question 18

Which of the following statements about the hydrolysis of phosphoric anhydrides is correct?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis of phosphoric anhydrides releases a large amount of energy, as seen in ATP hydrolysis.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about the function of neurotransmitters?

Accepted Answer

They transmit impulses from a nerve cell to a target cell by binding to receptors on the target cell surface.

Amines and Amides: Structure, Properties, and Biological Roles

Study Guide - Practice Questions