Portage Biochemistry Module 1 Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
Definition of biochemistry -
correct answer ✅chemistry of life; how properties of organisms
relate to their molecules
What are the 3 things biochemists study? -
correct answer ✅1. The relationship between structure and
function of biomolecules
2. Chemical reactions of organisms (metabolism)
3. Communication within and among organisms
What are bulk elements? -
correct answer ✅Elements that are abundant in living organisms
What are trace elements? -
correct answer ✅Elements that are less abundant in organisms
but still crucial for life
Name the bulk elements (10) -
correct answer ✅H, Na, K, Ca, C, N, O, P, S, Cl
Name the trace elements (13) -
correct answer ✅Mg, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, W, Se, I
,Portage Biochemistry Module 1 Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
What's another word for a firefly? -
correct answer ✅Lightning bug
Explain the chemical reaction of lightning bugs -
correct answer ✅The chemical reaction is called
bioluminescence. Proteins regulate, produce, and degrade the light-
emitting compound called luciferin. Luciferin, when acted upon by a
protein, glows as bugs move. This chemical reaction is regulated by
the protein (enzyme) called luciferase.
How many naturally occurring elements exist? How many are found
in living organisms and what kind of elements? -
correct answer ✅90 naturally occurring elements, less than 30
elements are found in living organisms.
Most of these 30 elements are smaller non-metals.
Why are smaller elements favored for living organisms? -
correct answer ✅They can form stable, covalent bonds
How are strong bonds formed? -
correct answer ✅Strong bonds form by significant overlap of
, Portage Biochemistry Module 1 Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
atoms, such as carbon and hydrogen, permitting them to share
electrons
Why is the strong bond good for living organisms? -
correct answer ✅The bond that forms requires significant energy
to break it. This means the bonds can withstand mechanical and
thermal pressures through the growth of hair/skin for protection.
Do larger elements form stable covalent bonds? -
correct answer ✅No
Describe the role of Iron as a larger element -
correct answer ✅Iron has a critical role in hemoglobin for oxygen
transport in vertebrates.
Forms an ion capable of binding to oxygen.
Describe H and O in H2O -
correct answer ✅Both H and O are found in large amounts. They
are small atoms that form strong bonds. When bonded as H2O,
they form a small, polar molecule that solvates and dissolves many
compounds.
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
Definition of biochemistry -
correct answer ✅chemistry of life; how properties of organisms
relate to their molecules
What are the 3 things biochemists study? -
correct answer ✅1. The relationship between structure and
function of biomolecules
2. Chemical reactions of organisms (metabolism)
3. Communication within and among organisms
What are bulk elements? -
correct answer ✅Elements that are abundant in living organisms
What are trace elements? -
correct answer ✅Elements that are less abundant in organisms
but still crucial for life
Name the bulk elements (10) -
correct answer ✅H, Na, K, Ca, C, N, O, P, S, Cl
Name the trace elements (13) -
correct answer ✅Mg, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, W, Se, I
,Portage Biochemistry Module 1 Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
What's another word for a firefly? -
correct answer ✅Lightning bug
Explain the chemical reaction of lightning bugs -
correct answer ✅The chemical reaction is called
bioluminescence. Proteins regulate, produce, and degrade the light-
emitting compound called luciferin. Luciferin, when acted upon by a
protein, glows as bugs move. This chemical reaction is regulated by
the protein (enzyme) called luciferase.
How many naturally occurring elements exist? How many are found
in living organisms and what kind of elements? -
correct answer ✅90 naturally occurring elements, less than 30
elements are found in living organisms.
Most of these 30 elements are smaller non-metals.
Why are smaller elements favored for living organisms? -
correct answer ✅They can form stable, covalent bonds
How are strong bonds formed? -
correct answer ✅Strong bonds form by significant overlap of
, Portage Biochemistry Module 1 Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
atoms, such as carbon and hydrogen, permitting them to share
electrons
Why is the strong bond good for living organisms? -
correct answer ✅The bond that forms requires significant energy
to break it. This means the bonds can withstand mechanical and
thermal pressures through the growth of hair/skin for protection.
Do larger elements form stable covalent bonds? -
correct answer ✅No
Describe the role of Iron as a larger element -
correct answer ✅Iron has a critical role in hemoglobin for oxygen
transport in vertebrates.
Forms an ion capable of binding to oxygen.
Describe H and O in H2O -
correct answer ✅Both H and O are found in large amounts. They
are small atoms that form strong bonds. When bonded as H2O,
they form a small, polar molecule that solvates and dissolves many
compounds.
