Biochemistry Unit 1

Which of the following best explains why carbon is central to biomolecular diversity?

It can form four covalent bonds, including self-links, enabling diverse structures.

What role do noncovalent forces play in the formation of functional units and compartments within cells?

They enable the assembly of macromolecules into functional structures without requiring covalent bonds.

Which of the following best describes the role of hydrophobic interactions in the structure and behavior of biological molecules?

They help stabilize structures by promoting water molecule reorganization around nonpolar groups.

Which of the following is strictly a feature unique to plant cells and not involved in viral replication?

Cell Wall

Water has also

high dielectric constant, a maximum density in the liquid state, and a negative volume of melting, meaning ice is less dense than liquid water and therefore floats.

How many hydrogen bonds can water make?

4

examples of colligative properties

freezing and boiling point, osmotic pressure

How much more concentrated is a solution with a pH of 5 than a solution with a pH of 11?

10⁶ times more concentrated

A buffer solution contains equal proportions of ethanoic acid and its conjugate base; the pKa of ethanoic acid is 4.74. At what pH does the solution buffer?

buffers are most effective at the pKa of the weak buffer so 4.74

Hyperventilation causes ​[CO₂ ] to drop rapidly in cells. How would this effect the pH in the cells?

pH would increase

Why is it important that weak forces, rather than strong forces, exist between biomolecules?

Weak forces allow for the reversible binding and dynamic interactions essential for biological processes.