Grand Canyon University BIO 201L Midterm Exam Review 2026 | Practice
Questions & Verified Answers | Anatomy & Physiology
🧬 Section 1: Basic Chemistry & Biochemistry (Q1 - Q20)
1. The smallest unit of an element that still retains the properties of that element
is the:
A. Molecule
B. Atom
C. Proton
D. Electron
Answer: B. Atom
Rationale: An atom is the fundamental unit of an element. Molecules (A) are two
or more atoms bonded together. Protons (C) and electrons (D) are subatomic
particles that do not retain the unique chemical properties of the element on
their own .
2. Which subatomic particle has a positive charge and is located in the nucleus?
A. Electron
B. Neutron
,C. Proton
D. Ion
Answer: C. Proton
Rationale: Protons carry a positive charge and reside in the nucleus. Electrons (A)
are negatively charged and orbit the nucleus. Neutrons (B) are neutral. Ions (D)
are charged atoms, not subatomic particles .
3. Isotopes of the same element differ in the number of:
A. Protons
B. Electrons
C. Neutrons
D. Orbitals
Answer: C. Neutrons
Rationale: Isotopes are variants of an element that have the same number of
protons (same atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons, resulting in
different atomic masses .
,4. Which type of chemical bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between
atoms?
A. Ionic bond
B. Covalent bond
C. Hydrogen bond
D. Van der Waals force
Answer: B. Covalent bond
Rationale: Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share one or more pairs of
electrons. Ionic bonds (A) involve the transfer of electrons. Hydrogen bonds (C)
are weak attractions between polar molecules .
5. A solution with a pH of 7 is considered:
A. Acidic
B. Basic
C. Neutral
D. Buffer
Answer: C. Neutral
, Rationale: A pH of 7 is neutral, indicating equal concentrations of hydrogen ions
(H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-). Values below 7 are acidic, and above 7 are basic .
6. What term describes the property of a hydrophilic head in biological
molecules?
A. Water fearing
B. Hydrophobic
C. Water loving
D. Nonpolar
Answer: C. Water loving
Rationale: A hydrophilic head is "water-loving," meaning it is attracted to water
molecules. Hydrophobic (B) means "water-fearing" .
7. The monomer of a protein is the:
A. Nucleotide
B. Monosaccharide
C. Amino acid
D. Fatty acid
Questions & Verified Answers | Anatomy & Physiology
🧬 Section 1: Basic Chemistry & Biochemistry (Q1 - Q20)
1. The smallest unit of an element that still retains the properties of that element
is the:
A. Molecule
B. Atom
C. Proton
D. Electron
Answer: B. Atom
Rationale: An atom is the fundamental unit of an element. Molecules (A) are two
or more atoms bonded together. Protons (C) and electrons (D) are subatomic
particles that do not retain the unique chemical properties of the element on
their own .
2. Which subatomic particle has a positive charge and is located in the nucleus?
A. Electron
B. Neutron
,C. Proton
D. Ion
Answer: C. Proton
Rationale: Protons carry a positive charge and reside in the nucleus. Electrons (A)
are negatively charged and orbit the nucleus. Neutrons (B) are neutral. Ions (D)
are charged atoms, not subatomic particles .
3. Isotopes of the same element differ in the number of:
A. Protons
B. Electrons
C. Neutrons
D. Orbitals
Answer: C. Neutrons
Rationale: Isotopes are variants of an element that have the same number of
protons (same atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons, resulting in
different atomic masses .
,4. Which type of chemical bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between
atoms?
A. Ionic bond
B. Covalent bond
C. Hydrogen bond
D. Van der Waals force
Answer: B. Covalent bond
Rationale: Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share one or more pairs of
electrons. Ionic bonds (A) involve the transfer of electrons. Hydrogen bonds (C)
are weak attractions between polar molecules .
5. A solution with a pH of 7 is considered:
A. Acidic
B. Basic
C. Neutral
D. Buffer
Answer: C. Neutral
, Rationale: A pH of 7 is neutral, indicating equal concentrations of hydrogen ions
(H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-). Values below 7 are acidic, and above 7 are basic .
6. What term describes the property of a hydrophilic head in biological
molecules?
A. Water fearing
B. Hydrophobic
C. Water loving
D. Nonpolar
Answer: C. Water loving
Rationale: A hydrophilic head is "water-loving," meaning it is attracted to water
molecules. Hydrophobic (B) means "water-fearing" .
7. The monomer of a protein is the:
A. Nucleotide
B. Monosaccharide
C. Amino acid
D. Fatty acid
