CHEM 210: BIOCHEMISTRY FINAL EXAM
100 High-Yield Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales
Comprehensive Study Guide | Portage Learning Updated 2026
QUESTION 1
A compound is analyzed and found to have a molecular mass of 3,500 g/mol.
According to biochemical standards, is this considered a macromolecule?
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Macromolecules typically have a molecular mass greater than 5,000 g/
mol.
QUESTION 2
Which organelle is specifically responsible for degrading hazardous or dangerous
molecules, such as hydrogen peroxide, within a eukaryotic cell?
Correct Answer: Peroxisomes
Rationale: Peroxisomes neutralize toxins, while lysosomes are primarily responsible
for digesting macromolecules.
QUESTION 3
A molecule contains both a carboxyl group and an amino group. Is it possible for
a single biomolecule to contain two or more different functional groups?
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Most biomolecules are polyfunctional, containing multiple types of
functional groups (e.g., amino acids).
,QUESTION 4
Identify the functional group present in the molecule CH3CH2NH2.
Correct Answer: Amine
Rationale: The presence of the -NH2 group attached to a carbon chain
characterizes it as an amine.
QUESTION 5
Which organelle acts as the 'stomach' of the cell, containing enzymes that digest
proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids?
Correct Answer: Lysosomes
Rationale: Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that break down macromolecules
into their building blocks.
QUESTION 6
What is the primary difference between a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell
regarding genetic material?
Correct Answer: Eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus; prokaryotes have a
nucleoid region.
Rationale: The defining feature of eukaryotes is the presence of a true, membrane-
bound nucleus.
QUESTION 7
In biochemistry, what is the role of the mitochondria?
Correct Answer: Energy production (ATP) via aerobic respiration.
Rationale: Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, converting nutrients into
usable energy.
, QUESTION 8
Which of the following is considered a primary site for protein synthesis in the
cell?
Correct Answer: Ribosomes
Rationale: Ribosomes read mRNA sequences to assemble amino acids into
polypeptide chains.
QUESTION 9
Water is a polar molecule. What type of bond forms between the hydrogen of one
water molecule and the oxygen of another?
Correct Answer: Hydrogen bond
Rationale: Hydrogen bonds are intermolecular forces that occur due to the dipole-
dipole attraction between water molecules.
QUESTION 10
A solution has a pH of 3. Is this solution considered acidic, basic, or neutral?
Correct Answer: Acidic
Rationale: A pH below 7 is acidic; 7 is neutral; above 7 is basic.
QUESTION 11
[Enzymology] A compound is analyzed and found to have a molecular mass of
3,500 g/mol. According to biochemical standards, is this considered a
macromolecule?
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Macromolecules typically have a molecular mass greater than 5,000 g/
mol.
100 High-Yield Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales
Comprehensive Study Guide | Portage Learning Updated 2026
QUESTION 1
A compound is analyzed and found to have a molecular mass of 3,500 g/mol.
According to biochemical standards, is this considered a macromolecule?
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Macromolecules typically have a molecular mass greater than 5,000 g/
mol.
QUESTION 2
Which organelle is specifically responsible for degrading hazardous or dangerous
molecules, such as hydrogen peroxide, within a eukaryotic cell?
Correct Answer: Peroxisomes
Rationale: Peroxisomes neutralize toxins, while lysosomes are primarily responsible
for digesting macromolecules.
QUESTION 3
A molecule contains both a carboxyl group and an amino group. Is it possible for
a single biomolecule to contain two or more different functional groups?
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Most biomolecules are polyfunctional, containing multiple types of
functional groups (e.g., amino acids).
,QUESTION 4
Identify the functional group present in the molecule CH3CH2NH2.
Correct Answer: Amine
Rationale: The presence of the -NH2 group attached to a carbon chain
characterizes it as an amine.
QUESTION 5
Which organelle acts as the 'stomach' of the cell, containing enzymes that digest
proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids?
Correct Answer: Lysosomes
Rationale: Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that break down macromolecules
into their building blocks.
QUESTION 6
What is the primary difference between a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell
regarding genetic material?
Correct Answer: Eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus; prokaryotes have a
nucleoid region.
Rationale: The defining feature of eukaryotes is the presence of a true, membrane-
bound nucleus.
QUESTION 7
In biochemistry, what is the role of the mitochondria?
Correct Answer: Energy production (ATP) via aerobic respiration.
Rationale: Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, converting nutrients into
usable energy.
, QUESTION 8
Which of the following is considered a primary site for protein synthesis in the
cell?
Correct Answer: Ribosomes
Rationale: Ribosomes read mRNA sequences to assemble amino acids into
polypeptide chains.
QUESTION 9
Water is a polar molecule. What type of bond forms between the hydrogen of one
water molecule and the oxygen of another?
Correct Answer: Hydrogen bond
Rationale: Hydrogen bonds are intermolecular forces that occur due to the dipole-
dipole attraction between water molecules.
QUESTION 10
A solution has a pH of 3. Is this solution considered acidic, basic, or neutral?
Correct Answer: Acidic
Rationale: A pH below 7 is acidic; 7 is neutral; above 7 is basic.
QUESTION 11
[Enzymology] A compound is analyzed and found to have a molecular mass of
3,500 g/mol. According to biochemical standards, is this considered a
macromolecule?
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Macromolecules typically have a molecular mass greater than 5,000 g/
mol.
