QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS 2024/2025/2026
PORTAGE LEARNING CHEM 210
M1-7 EXAM(NEWEST)
CHEM 210 Modules 1–7
Module 1: Biochemistry Fundamentals (Questions 1-20)
Q1: What is biochemistry?
Answer: The study of chemical processes within living organisms.
Rationale: Biochemistry explores the chemical and physicochemical
processes that occur inside living organisms, bridging biology and
chemistry .
Q2: Which of the following is NOT one of the four major classes of
biomolecules?
A) Carbohydrates B) Lipids C) Nucleic acids D) Enzymes
Answer: D) Enzymes
Rationale: The four major classes of biomolecules are carbohydrates,
,lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Enzymes are a type of protein, not a
separate class .
Q3: What is the primary function of carbohydrates in living
organisms?
Answer: Provide energy and structural support.
Rationale: Carbohydrates serve as energy sources (e.g., glucose) and
structural components (e.g., cellulose in plants) .
Q4: Lipids are characterized by being:
Answer: Hydrophobic (insoluble in water).
Rationale: Lipids are nonpolar, hydrophobic molecules that are
insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents - essential for
membrane structure and energy storage .
Q5: Proteins are polymers of:
Answer: Amino acids.
Rationale: Amino acids link via peptide bonds to form polypeptide
chains that fold into functional proteins.
Q6: What level of protein structure describes the alpha-helix and
beta-sheet?
Answer: Secondary structure.
Rationale: Secondary structure refers to local folded structures
stabilized by hydrogen bonds between backbone atoms.
Q7: Which bond is primarily responsible for stabilizing protein
secondary structure?
Answer: Hydrogen bonds.
Rationale: Hydrogen bonds form between the carbonyl oxygen of one
residue and the amide hydrogen of another, stabilizing alpha-helices and
beta-sheets.
,Q8: What is the function of nucleic acids?
Answer: Store and transmit genetic information.
Rationale: DNA stores genetic information, while RNA translates it
into proteins.
Q9: The monomers of nucleic acids are:
Answer: Nucleotides.
Rationale: Each nucleotide consists of a sugar, phosphate group, and
nitrogenous base.
Q10: True or False: According to the Module, a compound with a
molecular mass of 3,000 g/mol is considered a macromolecule.
Answer: False.
Rationale: Macromolecules typically have molecular masses exceeding
10,000 g/mol .
Q11: True or False: Biomolecules can have only two functional
groups.
Answer: False.
Rationale: Biomolecules often contain multiple functional groups; for
example, amino acids have both amino and carboxyl groups, plus
variable R-groups .
Q12: True or False: Carbon dioxide has a linear molecular shape
AND has a bond angle of 120 degrees.
Answer: False.
Rationale: CO₂ is linear but has a bond angle of 180°, not 120° .
Q13: What is the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation used for?
Answer: Calculating the pH of a buffer solution.
Rationale: pH = pKa + log([A-]/[HA]) relates pH to the pKa and the
ratio of conjugate base to acid.
, Q14: When pH = pKa of a weak acid, what is true about the
solution?
Answer: [A-] = [HA] (equal concentrations of acid and conjugate base).
Rationale: When log([A-]/[HA]) = 0, the ratio is 1, so the
concentrations are equal.
Q15: The ΔG value for a particular reaction is -78 kJ/mol. This
value indicates the reaction is:
Answer: Spontaneous (True).
Rationale: A negative ΔG indicates a spontaneous, thermodynamically
favorable reaction .
Q16: What does a positive ΔG (+52 kJ/mol) indicate about a
reaction?
Answer: The reaction is non-spontaneous.
Rationale: Positive ΔG requires energy input for the reaction to
proceed .
Q17: ATP hydrolysis (ATP → ADP + Pi) has a ΔG that is:
Answer: Negative.
Rationale: ATP breakdown releases energy, making it the cell's primary
energy currency .
Q18: Which of the following is NOT a property of carbon?
A) forming ionic bonds B) forming cyclic structures
C) forming multiple bonds D) forming bonds with oxygen
Answer: A) forming ionic bonds
Rationale: Carbon primarily forms covalent bonds; ionic bond
formation is not a characteristic property of carbon .
Q19: The four most abundant elements in living organisms are:
Answer: Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.