AP Biology : Understand basic chemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #111 : Understand Basic Chemistry

All of the following are carbohydrates except __________.

Possible Answers:

glucose

starch

glycogen

amino acids

Correct answer:

amino acids

Explanation:

Carbohydrates include the monosaccharide glucose and polysaccharides starch and glycogen.  Amino acids contain nitrogen and are the building blocks of polypeptides.

Example Question #111 : Understand Basic Chemistry

What is the main way in which carbon dioxide is altered in the bloodstream?

Possible Answers:

Carbon dioxide is bound to hemoglobin in the bloodstream

Carbon dioxide turns into sodium bicarbonate in the bloodstream

Carbon dioxide combines with water in the bloodstream to make carbonic acid

Carbon dioxide is transported as a carboxyl group in the bloodstream

Correct answer:

Carbon dioxide combines with water in the bloodstream to make carbonic acid

Explanation:

Carbon dioxide is not very soluble in water, so it is carried in the blood almost exclusively as carbonic acid. While some carbon dioxide is bound to hemoglobin, the majority of it is carried in the blood as the bicarbonate ion, which is the blood's main buffer. Note the following chemical equilibria:

Example Question #2071 : Ap Biology

In a redox reaction, the loss of electrons from a substance is called __________.

Possible Answers:

oxidation

electron transfer

electron compensation

reduction

Correct answer:

oxidation

Explanation:

A redox or oxidation-reduction reaction involves the transfer of electrons from one substance to another. The loss of an electron from a substance is called oxidation. The gain of electrons to another substance is called reduction. A mnemonic that is often useful in remembering this is: OIL RIG, where Oxidation Is Loss of electrons and Reduction Is Gain of electrons.   

Example Question #111 : Understand Basic Chemistry

In a redox reaction, the addition of an electron to a substance is called __________.

Possible Answers:

electron compensation

oxidation

electron transfer

reduction

Correct answer:

reduction

Explanation:

A redox or oxidation-reduction reaction involves the transfer of electrons from one substance to another. The loss of an electron from a substance is called oxidation. The gain of electrons to another substance is called reduction. A mnemonic that is often useful in remembering this is: OIL RIG, where Oxidation Is Loss of electrons and Reduction Is Gain of electrons.

Example Question #2071 : Ap Biology

If substance A gains an electron from substance B, then substance A is __________.

Possible Answers:

compensated

transferred

the reducing agent

the oxidizing agent

Correct answer:

the oxidizing agent

Explanation:

A redox or oxidation-reduction reaction involves the transfer of electrons from one substance to another. The loss of an electron from a substance is called oxidation. The gain of electrons to another substance is called reduction. A mnemonic that is often useful in remembering this is: OIL RIG, where Oxidation Is Loss of electrons and Reduction Is Gain of electrons. Here, substance A gains an electron and is thus reduced by substance B. As a result, substance B is oxidized by substance A. The substance that is reduced is also known as the oxidizing agent, since it causes the oxidation of the other substance.

Example Question #111 : Understand Basic Chemistry

Upon reduction, a substance may become __________.

Possible Answers:

more negatively charged

less negatively charged

more positively charged

None of these 

Correct answer:

more negatively charged

Explanation:

Reduction is the gain of electrons. Thus the substance that is reduced may become more negatively charged or less positively charged. However, the only possible answer of the choices is that it can become more negatively charged.

Example Question #111 : Understand Basic Chemistry

If substance A gains an electron from substance B, then substance B is __________.

Possible Answers:

the oxidizing agent

compensated

transferred

the reducing agent

Correct answer:

the reducing agent

Explanation:

A redox or oxidation-reduction reaction involves the transfer of electrons from one substance to another. The loss of an electron from a substance is called oxidation. The gain of electrons to another substance is called reduction. A mnemonic that is often useful in remembering this is: OIL RIG, where Oxidation Is Loss of electrons and Reduction Is Gain of electrons. Here, substance A gains an electron and is thus reduced by substance B. As a result, substance B is oxidized by substance A. The substance that is oxidized is also known as the reducing agent, since it causes the reduction of the other substance.

Example Question #2071 : Ap Biology

Substance A accepts an electron from substance B. In this case, substance A is the __________.

Possible Answers:

base

reducing agent

acid

oxidizing agent

Correct answer:

oxidizing agent

Explanation:

Substance A is an oxidizing agent. When a substance acts as an electron acceptor it is an oxidizing agent. This is because it causes the oxidation of substance B upon accepting an electron. If the substance acts as an electron donor then it is a reducing agent. Recall the mnemonic: OIL RIG; Oxidation Is Loss of electrons, Reduction Is Gain of electrons. Acids and bases involve the exchange of electron pairs, or hydrogens not single electrons.

Example Question #111 : Understand Basic Chemistry

An electron donor is also known as a(n) __________.

Possible Answers:

base

acid

oxidizing agent

reducing agent

Correct answer:

reducing agent

Explanation:

An electron donor is a reducing agent. That is because it is causing another substance (the electron acceptor) to be reduced. The electron acceptor is called the oxidizing agent. Recall the mnemonic: OIL RIG; Oxidation Is Loss of electrons, Reduction Is Gain of electrons. Acids and bases involve the exchange of electron pairs, or hydrogens not single electrons.

Example Question #2072 : Ap Biology

An electron acceptor is also known as a(n) __________.

Possible Answers:

oxidant

oxidizing agent

reductant

reducing agent

Correct answer:

oxidizing agent

Explanation:

When a substance acts as an electron acceptor it is an oxidizing agent. This is because it causes the oxidation of the substance from which it accepted the electron upon accepting an electron. If the substance acts as an electron donor then it is a reducing agent. Recall the mnemonic: OIL RIG; Oxidation Is Loss of electrons, Reduction Is Gain of electrons.

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