Chemistry of Life Review

What is the smallest unit of an element that retains all of the properties of that element?

• Ion

• Compound

• Molecule

• Atom

Which type of bond involves the sharing of electrons between atoms?

• Van der Waals interaction

• Hydrogen bond

• Covalent bond

• Ionic bond

What property of water allows it to dissolve ions and other polar molecules?

• Low density

• Polarity

• Non-polarity

• High heat capacity

What is the pH value of a neutral solution?

• 0

• 7

• 14

• 10

What are buffers important for in biological systems?

• Decreasing pressure

• Maintaining constant pH conditions

• Increasing acidity

• Increasing temperature

Which macromolecule is primarily responsible for energy storage in cells?

• Lipids

• Nucleic acids

• Carbohydrates

• Proteins

What are the building blocks of proteins?

• Monosaccharides

• Nucleotides

• Amino acids

• Fatty acids

Which level of protein structure is determined by the sequence of amino acids?

• Secondary

• Primary

• Quaternary

• Tertiary

What is the main role of nucleic acids in cells?

• Catalyzing reactions

• Directing cellular activities

• Structural support

• Energy storage

Which of the following is a type of lipid?

• Enzyme

• Phospholipid

• Polysaccharide

• Nucleotide