Chapter 2Water: The Solvent for Biochemical Reactions

MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The tendency for an atom to attract electrons to itself in a chemical bond is called
polarity.
electronegativity.
hydrophilicity
electrophilicity.
ANS: B

PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 6e

TOP: Water and Polarity

2. If atoms with greatly differing electronegativities form a bond, that bond will be
polar.
nonpolar.
amphipathic.
acidic.
ANS: A

PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 6e

PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 7e

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.

TOP: Water and Polarity

6. Which of the following elements has the highest electronegativity?

C
H
N
O
P
ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: Water and Polarity

a.
b.
c.
d.

TOP: Water and Polarity

5. Which of the following is a correct listing of electronegativity values, from low to high?
C, H, O, N
N, H, O, C
H, C, N, O
H, C, O, N
ANS: C

a.
b.
c.
d.

OBJ: Modified in 7e

4. Which of the following is true about ionic compounds?

They are more likely to dissolve in non-polar solvents than covalent compounds.
They always dissolve completely in water.
They never dissolve in polar solvents.
Some of them dissolve completely in water or other polar solvents, while others do not.
ANS: D

a.
b.
c.
d.

TOP: Water and Polarity

3. Many of the properties of water can be accounted for by the fact that
it is polar
it forms hydrogen bonds
it is a bent molecule
all of these are true
ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: Water and Polarity

a.
b.
c.
d.

OBJ: Modified from 5e

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

7. The water molecule is polar because:

Electrons are not distributed symmetrically in the molecule.
The hydrogen atoms are found on one "side" of the molecule.
Hydrogen is less electronegative than oxygen.
The hydrogen atoms are found on one "side" of the molecule and hydrogen is less
electronegative than oxygen.
All of these are correct.
ANS: E

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
OBJ: Modified from 5e

9. Which of the following molecules is amphipathic?

sodium chloride
acetic acid
benzene
palmitic acid
ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: Water and Polarity

a.
b.
c.
d.

OBJ: Modified from 5e

10. Which of the following classes of compounds is hydrophilic?

Sugars
Fatty acids
Amino acids
Sugars and amino acids.
All of these
ANS: D

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

TOP: Water and Polarity

11. Which of the following classes of compounds is hydrophobic?

Table Salt
Cholesterol
Phosphate esters
Cholesterol and phosphate esters.
All of these are hydrophobic.
ANS: B

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

TOP: Water and Polarity

12. Which of the following molecules has polar bonds but is itself not polar?
NH3
CO2
CH4
H2O
ANS: B

PTS: 1

e.

TOP: Water and Polarity

8. Which of the following molecules is polar?

CCl4
CH4
CO2
NH3
None of these molecules is polar.
ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: Water and Polarity

a.
b.
c.
d.

OBJ: New in 7e

a.
b.
c.
d.

TOP: Water and Polarity

13. Ionic compounds and polar covalent compounds tend to dissolve in water because of
ion-dipole and dipole-dipole interactions
dipole-induced dipole interactions
van der Waals bonds
hydrophobic interactions
ANS: A

PTS: 1

TOP: Water and Polarity

14. A micelle is a structure which

aggregates with other micelles in water.
has its polar groups on the outside and non-polar groups on the inside when in water.
explains how soaps and detergents work.
has its polar groups on the outside and non-polar groups on the inside when in water and
explains how soaps and detergents work.
All of these are true.
ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: Water and Polarity

PTS: 1

PTS: 1

TOP: Water and Polarity

PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 6e

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

18. Hydrogen bonds

play an important role in the solvent properties of water
are not involved in protein structure
play a role in the properties of DNA, but not of RNA
give water a lower boiling point than expected
ANS: A

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

TOP: Water and Polarity

17. How do hydrogen bonds tend to affect the melting and boiling points of substances?
They tend to increase both melting and boiling points.
They tend to decrease both melting and boiling points.
They tend to increase melting points and decrease boiling points.
They tend to decrease melting points and increase boiling points.
They do not have any affect on either melting or boiling points.
ANS: A

e.

a.
b.
c.
d.

16. Molecules which contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions are:
Amphipathic
Detergents
Able to form micelles
Both amphipathic and detergents.
All of these
ANS: E

a.
b.
c.
d.

OBJ: Modified in 7e

15. The substance most likely to form a micelle is

acetic acid
sodium palmitate
methyl alcohol
acetone
ANS: B

a.
b.
c.
d.

a.
b.
c.
d.

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

19. Which of the following molecules will not form hydrogen bonds?
CH4
NH3

a.
b.

H2O
HF
ANS: A

c.
d.
PTS: 1

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

20. How does the strength of hydrogen bonds compare with covalent bonds?
Hydrogen bonds are much stronger than covalent bonds.
Hydrogen bonds are much weaker than covalent bonds.
Hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds have similar strengths.
The question cannot be answered without knowing which covalent bonds are being
referred to
ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

OBJ: Modified in 7e

21. Which of the following is true regarding hydrogen bonds.

They can only form between two different molecules
They are important in protein folding but not DNA structure
They are important in DNA structure but not protein folding
They can be found within a single molecule
ANS: D

PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 7e

a.
b.
c.
d.
TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

22. In a hydrogen bond

three atoms lie in a straight line
there is stronger bonding than in a covalent bond
unpaired electrons play no role
none of the above
ANS: A

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.

a.
b.
c.
d.

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

23. The non-covalent interaction below associated with the strongest force in aqueous solution is
dipole-induced dipole
a.
hydrophobic interactions
b.
hydrogen bonding
c.
van der Waals forces
d.
ANS: C

PTS: 1

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

24. Which of the following statements about hydrogen bonds is false?

The donor is a hydrogen atom bonded to a less electronegative atom then hydrogen.
The more linear the bond, the stronger the attraction.
The acceptor must contain a non-bonded pair of electrons.
It is a type of non-covalent bond.
ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

OBJ: Modified from 5e

25. True hydrogen bonds can NOT form between hydrogen and this element:
N
F
C
O
All of these elements can form hydrogen bonds.
ANS: C

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

26. What is the maximum number of hydrogen bonds a single water molecule can form?
1
2
3
4
5
ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

OBJ: Modified from 5e

27. Which of the following characteristics makes for a good hydrogen bond acceptor?
a high electronegativity
a nonbonding pair of electrons
both of these
neither of these
ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

PTS: 1

PTS: 1

PTS: 1

a.
b.

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

31. Which of the following is a true statement?

most substances contract when they freeze.
water expands when it freezes.
hydrogen bonding is related to waters tendency to expand as it freezes.
all of these are true
ANS: D

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

30. Hydrogen bonds can only form when the hydrogen atom is involved in a polar bond.
True
False
ANS: A

a.
b.
c.
d.

OBJ: Modified from 5e

29. Hydrogen bonds explain which of the following properties of water?

Water is a great solvent for all ionic and polar molecules.
Water has high melting and boiling points for its small size.
Ice expands when frozen.
Both the abnormal melting and freezing points and that ice expands when frozen.
Hydrogen bonds explain all of these properties.
ANS: E

a.
b.
c.
d.

OBJ: Modified in 7e

28. Which of the following characteristics makes for a good hydrogen bond donor?
a high electronegativity
a nonbonding pair of electrons
both of the above
neither of the above
ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

OBJ: New in 7e

a.
b.
c.
d.

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

32. Which of the following compounds is most likely to form a micelle?

Acetic acid.
Glucose.
Glycerol.

a.
b.
c.

Sodium palmitate.
Sodium phosphate.
ANS: D

d.
e.
PTS: 1

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

NARRBEGIN: Exhibit 2A
Exhibit 2A
The structure of ATP with various groups labeled.
Group III is the entire phosphate group.

NARREND
33. Refer to Exhibit 2A. Which of the functional groups cannot function as a hydrogen donor to water?
I
a.
II
b.
III
c.
IV
d.
All can donate a hydrogen to water.
e.
ANS: B

PTS: 1

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

34. Refer to Exhibit 2A. Which of the functional groups is the most electrophilic?
I
II
III
IV
The answer cannot be determined without further information.
ANS: C

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

35. Refer to Exhibit 2A. Which of the groups could not act as a proton acceptor in a hydrogen bond?
I
a.
II
b.
III
c.
IV
d.
All can accept a hydrogen in a hydrogen bond.
e.
ANS: E

PTS: 1

36. Is water an acid or a base?

Water is an acid.
Water is a base.

TOP: Hydrogen Bonds

a.
b.

Water is both an acid and a base.

Water is neither an acid nor a base.
ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

c.
d.
OBJ: Modified from 5e

37. For an acid that undergoes this reaction:

HA H+ + A
Ka =
[H+][A]/[HA]
[H+][HA]/[A]
[HA][A]/[H+]
[A]/[HA][H+]
[H+]/[HA][A]
ANS: A

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 6e

TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

38. Which will dissociate most in water, a weak acid or a strong acid?
A weak acid.
A strong acid
They should dissociate about the same.
It's impossible to predict.
ANS: B

PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 6e

a.
b.
c.
d.
TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

39. Bases are

proton donors.
proton acceptors.
hydrogen bond donors.
hydrogen bond acceptors.
ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

a.
b.
c.
d.
OBJ: Modified from 5e

40. Which has the greater Ka, a weak acid or a strong acid?
A weak acid.
A strong acid
They should dissociate about the same.
It's impossible to predict.
ANS: B

PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 6e

41. Which has the greater pKa, a weak acid or a strong acid?
A weak acid.
A strong acid
They should dissociate about the same.
It's impossible to predict.
ANS: A

PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 6e

42. The dissociation constant for an acid with a pKa value of 6.0 is
1 106
1 106

a.
b.
c.
d.
TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

a.
b.
c.
d.
TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

a.
b.

1 106
1 106
ANS: A

c.
d.
PTS: 1

TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

43. A buffer solution at pH 10 has a ratio of [HA]/[A] of 10. What is the pKa of the acid?
8
9
10
11
12
ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

OBJ: Modified from 5e

44. The dissociation constant for an acid is 1 106. What is its pKa?
6
6
0.6
0.6
ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

46. The pOH a solution of 0.04 M HCl is:

1.4
10
12.6
13.6
The pOH cannot be determined
ANS: C

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.

OBJ: Modified in 7e
NOT: Answer was incorrect in 6e

45. The pH of a solution of 0.04 M HCl is:

4
1.4
0.4
0.04
The pH cannot be determined
ANS: B

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

47. An HCl solution has a pH = 3. If you dilute 10 mL of the solution to 1000mL, the final pH will be:
1.0
a.
2.0
b.
The pH does not change.
c.
4.0
d.
5.0
e.
ANS: E

PTS: 1

48. If a solution has a pH = 9.6, the [H+] is

2.5 1010
9.6 M
2.5 M

TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

a.
b.
c.

2.5 1010 M
9.6 1010 M
ANS: D

d.
e.
PTS: 1

TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

49. What is the pH of a solution with [H+] = 10 mM?

10
1
2
2
ANS: C

PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 6e

a.
b.
c.
d.
TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

50. Calculate the final pH of a solution made by the addition of 10 mL of a 0.5 M NaOH solution to 500
mL of a 0.4 M HA originally at pH = 5.0 (pKa = 5.0) Neglect the volume change.
6.10
a.
5.09
b.
7.00
c.
5.55
d.
ANS: D

PTS: 1

TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

51. If a solution has a pH = 6, the [H+] is

6M
106 M
106 M
0.6 M
ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

a.
b.
c.
d.
OBJ: Modified from 5e

52. What is the pH of an acetic acid solution where the concentration of acetic acid is 2 mM and the
concentration of sodium acetate is 20 mM. The pKa of acetic acid is 4.76.
5.76
a.
10.6
b.
12.6
c.
8.8
d.
ANS: A

PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 7e

TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

53. The ion product constant for water (Kw) is equal to:
1014
107
100
107
1014
ANS: E

PTS: 1

TOP: Acids, Bases, and pH

54. In a titration of a weak acid by a strong base

two equivalents of base are always needed to neutralize all the acid present
the equivalence point cannot be defined exactly
there is a region in which the pH changes slowly
the equivalence point depends on the nature of the added base
ANS: C

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

TOP: Titration Curves

a.
b.
c.
d.

55. A solution at pH 7 contains a weak acid, HA. The pKa of the acid is 6.5. What is the ratio of
[A]:[HA]?
1:3
a.
1:1
b.
3:1
c.
10:1
d.
ANS: C

PTS: 1

TOP: Titration Curves

56. When does a weak acid buffer best?

From one pH unit below its pKa to its pKa.
From its pKa to one pH unit above its pKa.
Within one pH unit of its pKa, both above and below.
Weak acids do not make good buffers at all.
ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Titration Curves

a.
b.
c.
d.

OBJ: Modified from 5e

57. The inflection point of the titration curve for a weak monoprotic acid is equal to its pK a
True
False
ANS: A
PTS: 1
NOT: Answer was incorrect in 6e

TOP: Titration Curves

58. Which of the following is true?

The pH of a solution where the A to HA ratio is 1 has a pH = pKa.
If the pH does not equal the pKa, the solution is not a buffer.
The best buffer for any experiment will always have a pH equal to the pKa.
If a buffer has more weak acid than conjugate base, the pH will be higher than the pKa.
ANS: A

PTS: 1

a.
b.

OBJ: New in 7e

a.
b.
c.
d.

TOP: Titration Curves

59. Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, calculate the pH of an ammonia buffer when the
NH3:NH4+ ratio is 0.4 moles:0.6 moles. (pK = 9.75)
7.40
a.
9.07
b.
9.25
c.
9.43
d.
11.05
e.
ANS: B

PTS: 1

TOP: Titration Curves

60. An ammonia buffer contains NH3:NH4+ in a ratio of 0.4 moles:0.6 moles (pK = 9.75). What will be the
pH if you add 0.01 moles of HCl to this buffer?
8.98
a.
9.04
b.
9.25
c.
9.46
d.
9.52
e.
ANS: A

PTS: 1

TOP: Titration Curves

61. The ratio of a weak acid and its conjugate base at the point of maximum buffering capacity is
1/1
a.

1/10
10/1
no definite ratio is needed
ANS: A

PTS: 1

b.
c.
d.
TOP: Titration Curves

62. Which substance would be the best buffer at pH 8 if it had to be able to buffer against either acid or
base?
one with a pKa of 7
a.
one with a pKa of 8
b.
one with a pKa of 9
c.
The pKa of a substance doesn't tell you whether it would be a good buffer at this pH.
d.
ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Titration Curves

OBJ: Modified from 6e

63. Buffering capacity refers to

the effectiveness of commercial antacids
the extent to which a buffer solution can counteract the effect of added acid or base
the pH of a buffer solution
the molecular weight of the substance used as a buffer
ANS: B

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.

TOP: Titration Curves

64. If the pH of 1 liter of a 1.0 M carbonate buffer is 7.0, what is the molar ratio of H2CO3 to HCO3? (pK
= 6.37)
0.234
a.
4.27
b.
6.37
c.
7.00
d.
10.20
e.
ANS: B

PTS: 1

TOP: Titration Curves

65. Consider a reaction that produces a significant amount of hydrogen ion and is to be carried out a pH 7.
Only two acids are available for making the buffer solution. The pKa values for acids A and B are 6.3
and 7.3, respectively. Which acid would serve as the optimum buffer for this reaction? Or would
carrying out the reaction in water simply serve as well?
acid A
a.
acid B
b.
water
c.
both acids would be equally effective
d.
ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: Titration Curves

OBJ: Modified from 5e

66. Which of the following acids would serve as a good buffer for a reaction at pH = 8.0?
Ka
1.76 105
6.31 108
5.6 1011
5.01 109
I

acetic acid
H2PO4
bicarbonate
TRIS

I.
II.
III.
IV.
a.

II
III
IV

b.
c.
d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

TOP: Titration Curves

67. If the pH of 1 liter of a 1.0 M carbonate buffer is 7.0, what is actual number of moles of H2CO3 and
HCO3? (pK = 6.37)
moles of HCO3
0.14
0.19
0.24
0.81
0.86

moles of H2CO3
0.86
0.81
0.76
0.19
0.14

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

I
II
III
IV
V

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

TOP: Titration Curves

68. A buffer solution

is used to control the pH of a solution
contains at least 100 times more of a weak acid than its conjugate base
contains at least 100 times less of a weak acid than its conjugate base
always has a pH of 7
ANS: A

PTS: 1

TOP: Titration Curves

69. The main intracellular buffer system is

H3PO4/H2PO4
H2PO4/ HPO42
HPO42/PO43
H3PO4/PO43
ANS: B

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.
TOP: Buffers

NARRBEGIN: Exhibit 2B
Exhibit 2B
Contains information on the pK's of some common buffers.
pK3

5.41
12.4

NARREND

pK2

10.20
4.75
7.20

a.
b.
c.
d.

pK1
4.75
9.25
6.37
3.09
3.75
2.14
2.50
8.3

Buffer
Acetate
Ammonia
Carbonic acid
Citric acid
Formic Acid
Phosphoric acid
Pyruvic acid
Tris

70. Refer to Exhibit 2B. The enzyme lysozyme has an optimum pH close to 5. A suitable buffer would
be:
Acetate
a.
Carbonate
b.
Phosphate
c.
Pyruvate
d.
None of these is a suitable buffer for this reaction.
e.
ANS: A

PTS: 1

TOP: Buffers

71. Refer to Exhibit 2B. An ammonium buffer would work well at this pH:
5.6
7.0
9.0
11.0
None of these
ANS: C

PTS: 1

TOP: Buffers

72. Refer to Exhibit 2B. A carbonate buffer would work well at this pH:
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
6.0 and 10.0
ANS: E

PTS: 1

PTS: 1

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

TOP: Buffers

74. Refer to Exhibit 2B. Which of the following would make the best buffer at pH =10.0?
Acetic acid and sodium acetate
Tris and its acid form
H2CO3 and NaHCO3
Na2HPO4 and NaH2PO4
NaHCO3 and Na2CO3
ANS: E

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

TOP: Buffers

73. Refer to Exhibit 2B. A phosphate buffer would work well at this pH:
5.0
7.0
8.0
10.0
7.0 and 8.0
ANS: E

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

TOP: Buffers

75. Which of the following is important to know when deciding if a given buffer will be effective for an
experiment?
the pKa of the buffer compound
a.
the buffer capacity
b.
the concentration of the buffer
c.
whether the experiment is likely to generate hydrogen ions or hydroxide ions
d.
all of these are important considerations
e.
ANS: E

PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 7e

TOP: Buffers

76. Nonphysiological buffers such as HEPES and PIPES have come into common use because
they are inexpensive
they can be prepared much more easily than other buffers
they have less tendency to interfere with reactions
they contain nitrogen
ANS: C

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.

TOP: Buffers

77. Buffers which lack biological activity and are unlikely to interfere with any biochemical reactions
include:
Tris.
a.
Hepes.
b.
Phosphate.
c.
Both Tris and HEPES.
d.
All of these.
e.
ANS: D

PTS: 1

TOP: Buffers

78. Which of the following is not true?

A buffer is a solution which maintains a solution at a neutral pH
Buffer solutions are made to resist change in pH
Zwitterion buffers are less likely to interfere with biological reactions than non-zwitterions
HEPES is a zwitterion buffer
ANS: A

PTS: 1

OBJ: New in 7e

79. The main blood buffer system is

H2CO3/HCO3
HCO3/CO32
H2CO3/CO32
none of the above
ANS: A

PTS: 1

a.
b.
c.
d.

TOP: Buffers

a.
b.
c.
d.
TOP: Buffers