1 MAXE • 101 DOIB
Portage Learning
PORTAGE Online Nursing & Health Sciences Education
Y O U R PAT H T O S U CC E S S B E G I N S H E R E
EST. 2016
BIOD 101 — General Biology I
E X A M 1 : C H E M I ST R Y, B I O M A C R O M O L E CU L E S & C E L LU L A R F O U N D AT I O N S
INSTITUTION Portage Learning COURSE CODE BIOD 101
PROGRAM Pre-Nursing / Health Sciences Pathway ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Exam 1 — Chemistry, Biomacromolecules TOTAL QUESTIONS 20 Questions
& Cells
COURSE TITLE General Biology I FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False / Short
Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise indicated.
▸ Questions cover matter, chemical bonding, biomacromolecules, cell structure, and membrane transport.
▸ Correct answers with detailed rationales are provided for comprehensive review.
▸ Pay close attention to distinctions between ionic, covalent, and hydrogen bonds.
BIOD 101 EXAM 1 — CHEMISTRY & CELLULAR BIOLOGY FOUNDATIONS Questions 1 – 20
1. What is matter and what states can it exist in?
A. Matter is only what we can see; it exists only as a solid.
B. Matter is anything that takes up space, by having volume, and has mass; can exist in solid, liquid, or gaseous states.
C. Matter is defined as pure energy; it exists as plasma only.
D. Matter refers only to organic compounds; it can exist in two states.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Matter is anything that takes up space, by having volume, and has mass; can exist in solid, liquid,
or gaseous states
RATIONALE Matter is defined as anything that occupies space (has volume) and possesses mass. It exists in three primary
physical states: solid (fixed shape and volume), liquid (fixed volume but takes the shape of its container), and
gas (no fixed shape or volume).
, 2. Explain the difference between essential and trace elements.
A. Essential elements are not needed by the body; trace elements are needed in large quantities.
B. Essential elements are required for human life; trace elements are only required in small quantities.
C. Both types are required in equal amounts.
D. Trace elements are more important than essential elements.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Essential elements are required for human life; trace elements are only required in small
quantities
RATIONALE Essential elements (e.g., carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen) are fundamental building blocks required in
significant amounts for life processes. Trace elements (e.g., iron, iodine, zinc) are also necessary for health but
are needed in much smaller (trace) amounts.
3. Describe an ionic bond.
A. Formed when electrons are shared equally between two atoms.
B. Formed when ions of molecules of opposite charge are attracted to one another.
C. Formed by weak electrostatic interactions between molecules.
D. Formed when atoms have no electrical charge.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Formed when ions of molecules of opposite charge are attracted to one another
RATIONALE An ionic bond is an electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. One atom donates electrons
(becoming a positively charged cation) and another accepts electrons (becoming a negatively charged anion).
The attraction between these opposite charges forms the ionic bond, as seen in NaCl.
4. Describe a covalent bond.
A. Formed when electrons are shared equally between two atoms to complete the valence shells of both.
B. Formed when one atom completely transfers electrons to another.
C. Formed only between metal atoms.
D. A temporary, weak attraction between molecules.
CORRECT ANSWER A — Formed when electrons are shared equally between two atoms to complete the valence shells of
both
RATIONALE Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. This sharing allows both atoms to
achieve a complete outer valence shell, creating a stable molecular structure. Nonpolar covalent bonds share
electrons equally, while polar covalent bonds share unequally.
5. Describe a hydrogen bond.
A. A strong bond formed by sharing electrons.
B. Formed by electrostatic interactions between molecules — relatively weak and breaks easily.
C. A bond that holds metal atoms together.
D. The strongest type of chemical bond.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Formed by electrostatic interactions between molecules — relatively weak and breaks easily
RATIONALE Hydrogen bonds are weak intermolecular attractions that occur between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded
to an electronegative atom (like O or N) and another electronegative atom. Although individually weak, they
are collectively important in stabilizing DNA structure and protein folding.
Portage Learning
PORTAGE Online Nursing & Health Sciences Education
Y O U R PAT H T O S U CC E S S B E G I N S H E R E
EST. 2016
BIOD 101 — General Biology I
E X A M 1 : C H E M I ST R Y, B I O M A C R O M O L E CU L E S & C E L LU L A R F O U N D AT I O N S
INSTITUTION Portage Learning COURSE CODE BIOD 101
PROGRAM Pre-Nursing / Health Sciences Pathway ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Exam 1 — Chemistry, Biomacromolecules TOTAL QUESTIONS 20 Questions
& Cells
COURSE TITLE General Biology I FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False / Short
Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise indicated.
▸ Questions cover matter, chemical bonding, biomacromolecules, cell structure, and membrane transport.
▸ Correct answers with detailed rationales are provided for comprehensive review.
▸ Pay close attention to distinctions between ionic, covalent, and hydrogen bonds.
BIOD 101 EXAM 1 — CHEMISTRY & CELLULAR BIOLOGY FOUNDATIONS Questions 1 – 20
1. What is matter and what states can it exist in?
A. Matter is only what we can see; it exists only as a solid.
B. Matter is anything that takes up space, by having volume, and has mass; can exist in solid, liquid, or gaseous states.
C. Matter is defined as pure energy; it exists as plasma only.
D. Matter refers only to organic compounds; it can exist in two states.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Matter is anything that takes up space, by having volume, and has mass; can exist in solid, liquid,
or gaseous states
RATIONALE Matter is defined as anything that occupies space (has volume) and possesses mass. It exists in three primary
physical states: solid (fixed shape and volume), liquid (fixed volume but takes the shape of its container), and
gas (no fixed shape or volume).
, 2. Explain the difference between essential and trace elements.
A. Essential elements are not needed by the body; trace elements are needed in large quantities.
B. Essential elements are required for human life; trace elements are only required in small quantities.
C. Both types are required in equal amounts.
D. Trace elements are more important than essential elements.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Essential elements are required for human life; trace elements are only required in small
quantities
RATIONALE Essential elements (e.g., carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen) are fundamental building blocks required in
significant amounts for life processes. Trace elements (e.g., iron, iodine, zinc) are also necessary for health but
are needed in much smaller (trace) amounts.
3. Describe an ionic bond.
A. Formed when electrons are shared equally between two atoms.
B. Formed when ions of molecules of opposite charge are attracted to one another.
C. Formed by weak electrostatic interactions between molecules.
D. Formed when atoms have no electrical charge.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Formed when ions of molecules of opposite charge are attracted to one another
RATIONALE An ionic bond is an electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. One atom donates electrons
(becoming a positively charged cation) and another accepts electrons (becoming a negatively charged anion).
The attraction between these opposite charges forms the ionic bond, as seen in NaCl.
4. Describe a covalent bond.
A. Formed when electrons are shared equally between two atoms to complete the valence shells of both.
B. Formed when one atom completely transfers electrons to another.
C. Formed only between metal atoms.
D. A temporary, weak attraction between molecules.
CORRECT ANSWER A — Formed when electrons are shared equally between two atoms to complete the valence shells of
both
RATIONALE Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. This sharing allows both atoms to
achieve a complete outer valence shell, creating a stable molecular structure. Nonpolar covalent bonds share
electrons equally, while polar covalent bonds share unequally.
5. Describe a hydrogen bond.
A. A strong bond formed by sharing electrons.
B. Formed by electrostatic interactions between molecules — relatively weak and breaks easily.
C. A bond that holds metal atoms together.
D. The strongest type of chemical bond.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Formed by electrostatic interactions between molecules — relatively weak and breaks easily
RATIONALE Hydrogen bonds are weak intermolecular attractions that occur between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded
to an electronegative atom (like O or N) and another electronegative atom. Although individually weak, they
are collectively important in stabilizing DNA structure and protein folding.
