GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology : GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology

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All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources

1 Diagnostic Test 201 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

exothermic . . . light

endothermic . . . heat

exothermic . . . heat

exothermic . . . electricity 

endothermic . . . light

Correct answer:

exothermic . . . heat

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

Fluorine, osmium, nitrogen

Francium, osmium, nobelium

Iron (Fe), oxygen, sodium (Na)

Fluorine, oxygen, nitrogen

Francium, oxygen, nickel

Correct answer:

Fluorine, oxygen, nitrogen

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

ionic, covalent, hydrogen, dipole, van der Waals

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

SCAN

RICE

BARF

PASS

LEO says GER

Correct answer:

BARF

Explanation:

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)?

Possible Answers:

Dipole-dipole interactions

Ionic bonding

London dispersion forces

Hydrogen bonding

Correct answer:

Dipole-dipole interactions

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

Ethanol

Acetic acid

Correct answer:

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

Oxygen

Iron

Aluminum

None of the atoms are oxidized

Correct answer:

Aluminum

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

OCEAN

BARF

LEO says GER

ROME

PASS

Correct answer:

LEO says GER

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

loss . . . negative

gain . . . positive

loss . . . positive

loss . . . dynamic

gain . . . negative

Correct answer:

gain . . . negative

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

I only

II only

III only

II and III

I and II

Correct answer:

II only

Explanation:

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.

All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources

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