All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Chemical Principles
__________ reactions have a that is less than zero, and thus they occur spontaneously. This is because the products in these reactions have lower bond energies than the reactants, and when that energy is released it is converted to __________.
exothermic . . . light
endothermic . . . heat
exothermic . . . heat
exothermic . . . electricity
endothermic . . . light
exothermic . . . heat
Exothermic reactions release heat (think exothermic = explosion = creates heat), and this is due to the release of energy from the reactant bonds. These reactions have less than zero. Endothermic reactions are just the opposite and actually require energy to occur, and therefore do not occur spontaneously nor release heat.
Example Question #1 : Biochemistry
Which three elements are capable of participating in hydrogen bonding?
Fluorine, osmium, nitrogen
Francium, osmium, nobelium
Iron (Fe), oxygen, sodium (Na)
Fluorine, oxygen, nitrogen
Francium, oxygen, nickel
Fluorine, oxygen, nitrogen
A hydrogen bond is the weak attraction of a covalently bonded hydrogen to nearby fluorine, oxygen, or nitrogen (FON) atoms. These attractions can occur within a single molecule (intramolecular) or between two distinct molecules in close proximity (intermolecular). Hydrogen bonds give water its cohesiveness and its surface tension.
Example Question #1 : Chemical Principles
The strength of bonds and intermolecular forces, from strong to weak, can be recalled by the use of the mnemonic "I Can't Handle Dirty Vans," which stands for __________.
ionic, covalent, hydrogen, dipole, van der Waals
intermediate, central, hybrid, diatomic, variable
isotonic, compound, homologous, dense, valance
indirect, chorion, high-energy, DeVries, vital
incomplete, carbon, hardy, direct, van't Hoff
ionic, covalent, hydrogen, dipole, van der Waals
Ionic bonds form when one or more electrons from an atom are removed and attached to another atom resulting in positive and negative ions that attract each other. Sodium chloride is an example of an ionic compound. Covalent bonds form when one or more pairs of electrons are shared by two atoms. Hydrochloric acid is an example of a covalent compound. A hydrogen bond is a force of attraction between a hydrogen atom in one molecule and a small atom of high electronegativity (oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine) in another molecule. Water molecules are capable of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. A dipole-dipole bond is an attractive force between the positive end of one polar molecule and the negative end of another polar molecule. Iodine monochloride molecules show dipole-dipole attraction. Van der Waals forces arise from spontaneous changes in electron density; these occur in all chemical molecules regardless of composition and are extremely weak interactions.
Example Question #4 : Chemical Principles
A mnemonic for remembering whether energy is required or released when chemical bonds are formed is __________.
SCAN
RICE
BARF
PASS
LEO says GER
BARF
Energy is absorbed when bonds break. The energy required to break the bond is absorbed from the surroundings. You have to put energy into a molecule to break its chemical bond.
Energy is released when bonds form. Bond formation represents a stable configuration of atoms. If breaking a bond absorbs energy, forming a bond must release energy; thus, the mnemonic BARF—Break (a bond), Absorb (energy), Release (energy), Form (a bond).
SCAN is the mnemonic for the magnetic field induced in a coil—south clockwise, anticlockwise north. PASS stands for pull, aim, squeeze, sweep—how to use a fire extinguisher. RICE is the treatment for an injury to a joint: rest, ice, compression, elevation. LEO says GER is a mnemonic for loss of electrons is oxidation, gain of electrons is reduction.
Example Question #1 : Biochemistry
Which of the following forces is strongest between molecules of hydrochloric acid (HCl)?
Dipole-dipole interactions
Ionic bonding
London dispersion forces
Hydrogen bonding
Dipole-dipole interactions
Since hydrochloric acid has a partial positive charge on the hydrogen and a partial negative charge on the chlorine, the molecules will have dipole-dipole interactions between them. Although hydrogen bonding is a stronger force, a hydrogen must be attached to a nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine in order to exhibit hydrogen bonding.
Example Question #2 : Biochemistry
Which of the following molecules is not capable of hydrogen bonding?
Ethanol
Acetic acid
Hydrogen bonding is possible when a hydrogen atom is attached to a nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine. Of the following options, hydrochloric acid is the only option that does not fit the criteria.
Example Question #1 : Help With Oxidation Reduction Chemistry
Consider the following reaction:
Which atom is oxidized in the reaction?
Oxygen
Iron
Aluminum
None of the atoms are oxidized
Aluminum
Oxidation is the process of losing electrons, or acquiring a more positive charge. We can determine which atom has lost electrons by comparing the oxidation number of the atom as a reactant and as a product. Aluminum is in elemental form as a reactant, so it has an oxidation number of 0. As a product, it is bonded with oxygen, giving each aluminum an oxidation number of +3. Since it has a more positive charge, the aluminum has been oxidized.
Example Question #1 : Help With Oxidation Reduction Chemistry
Which mnemonic would be most useful for remembering what happens during an oxidation-reduction reaction?
OCEAN
BARF
LEO says GER
ROME
PASS
LEO says GER
LEO says GER is a mnemonic for Loss of Electrons is Oxidation, Gain of Electrons is Reduction. An oxidation-reduction reaction is a chemical interaction in which one substance is oxidized and loses electrons, and thus is increased in positive valance, while another substance gains an equal number of electrons and is reduced, thus decreasing in positive valance. This is called a redox system or reaction. Along with LEO says GER, another popular mnemonic for this system is "OIL RIG," which stands for Oxidation is Loss, Reduction is Gain (in reference to electrons).
BARF is a mnemonic for Break (a bond) Absorb (energy), Release (energy) Form (a bond). This is used to remember whether energy is required or released when chemical bonds are broken and formed. OCEAN describes the big five personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. PASS stands for pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep—how to use a fire extinguisher. ROME is a mnemonic for Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal. The values for the respiratory form of acid-base balance are opposite; if pH is high, carbon dioxide will be low and vice versa. For the metabolic form, the values are equal. If pH is high, carbonic acid will be high. If pH is low, carbonic acid will be low.
Example Question #2 : Help With Oxidation Reduction Chemistry
Reduction of a compound results in a __________ of electrons, thus rendering the compound's charge to be more __________.
loss . . . negative
gain . . . positive
loss . . . positive
loss . . . dynamic
gain . . . negative
gain . . . negative
The process of reduction causes a gain of electrons. Because electrons are negatively charged, any compound that becomes reduced will be more negative than it was prior to the reaction.
Example Question #1 : Help With Oxidation Reduction Chemistry
Which of the following is not a redox reaction?
I only
II only
III only
II and III
I and II
II only
All of the given choices represent oxidation-reduction reactions that are important in cellular metabolism. Oxidation-reduction reactions involve the changing of oxidation states (commonly through the transfer of electrons). In the first reaction NAD+ is reduced. The second reaction shows the polymerization of two molecules of glucose via a condensation (dehydration synthesis) reaction. In the third reaction glucose is oxidized.
NADH and are important electron carriers that bring electrons to the electron transport chain and are formed during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle via reduction. The final choice represents the overall oxidation-reduction reaction that occurs for one molecule of glucose.