Water & Chemical Elements (College Board AP® Biology): Exam Questions

11 mins11 questions
1
Sme Calculator
1 mark

Biological molecules are built through molecules being exchanged with the environment. 

Which of the following explains the need for the exchange of matter with the environment?

I - For growth

II - Reproduction

III - Maintain organization

IV - Elimination of excess energy

  • I and II only

  • II and III only

  • All of the above

  • I, II and III only

Did this page help you?

2
Sme Calculator
1 mark

Bonds hold together the atoms within water, whereas water molecules are held together via intermolecular forces. 

Which of the following correctly states the type of bond between atoms in a water molecule?

  • Hydrogen bonds

  • Ionic bonds

  • Covalent bonds

  • Polar bonds

Did this page help you?

3
Sme Calculator
1 mark

Water molecules require cohesion and adhesion in order to interact with other molecules and be transported through molecules. 

Which of the following describes the correct definitions of cohesion and adhesion?

Cohesion is…

Adhesion is…

A

Forces of attraction between molecules of the same type

Attractive forces between molecules of a different type

B

Attractive forces between molecules of a different type

Forces of attraction between molecules of the same type

C

Forces of attraction between atoms of the same type

Attractive forces between atoms of a different type

D

Attractive forces between atoms of a different type

Forces of attraction between atoms of the same type

    Did this page help you?

    1
    Sme Calculator
    1 mark

    Water molecules are composed of the atoms hydrogen and oxygen, which are held together by covalent and hydrogen bonds.

    Which of the following models best demonstrates the arrangement of hydrogen bonds between water molecules? (Hydrogen bonds are depicted by dashed lines.)

    • Diagram of a hydronium ion bonded to two water molecules through hydrogen bonds, showing oxygen and hydrogen atoms with bonding lines and angles.
    • Diagram of a hydrogen peroxide molecule showing two oxygen atoms each bonded to two hydrogen atoms, forming a bent structure.
    • Diagram showing three water molecules with hydrogen bonds: two outer molecules aligned with an oxygen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms each.
    • Chemical structure diagram of hydrogen peroxide, showing two oxygen atoms single-bonded, each with two hydrogen atoms attached.

    Did this page help you?

    2
    Sme Calculator
    1 mark

    Exploring the molecular pathways and physiological importance of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in different biological systems has highlighted their contributions to life’s fundamental processes. Carbon forms the framework of biological molecules, nitrogen is critical for proteins and nucleic acids, and phosphorus is essential for nucleic acids, membrane structure, and energy metabolism.

    Cellular membranes contain phospholipids which provide structure and specific physiological characteristics to support the molecular pathways of the cell.

    Which of the following models represents the correct arrangement of phosphorus within a phospholipid?

    • Molecular structure of a phospholipid, featuring a glycerol backbone, two fatty acid tails, and a phosphate group with an 'R' variable group.
    • Chemical structure of a phospholipid with a phosphate group and three fatty acid chains, including unsaturated bonds, depicted in zigzag lines.
    • Chemical structure of a triglyceride molecule with three ester linkages and three fatty acid chains, one with a double bond, depicting its composition.
    • Chemical structure of a phospholipid with a glycerol backbone, two fatty acid chains, and a phosphate group linked to a variable R group.

    Did this page help you?

    3
    Sme Calculator
    1 mark

    Nitrogen is a key part of building biomass because of its presence in all amino acids and therefore proteins.

    Which of the following best describes nitrogen within a protein?

    • Each amino acid contains an amine group (-NH₂)

    • Each amino acid contains a nitrate group (-NO2-)

    •  Each protein molecule contains an amine group (-NH₂)

    • Each protein molecule contains a nitrate group (-NO2-)

    Did this page help you?

    4
    Sme Calculator
    1 mark

    Water is known as a cohesive molecule due to the presence of hydrogen bonding. Water is also adhesive to other molecules.

    Which of the following does not use these properties of water to function?

    • Mass transport through the xylem of plants and blood vessels in animals.

    • Surface tension on a body of water meets the air to create a film on the body of water.

    • Capillary action within xylem vessels.

    • Evaporation of water from the skin during sweating.

    Did this page help you?

    5
    Sme Calculator
    1 mark

    The covalent bonds within water molecules are described as polar covalent bonds.

    Which of the following best explains why the covalent bonds within water are polar?

    • Hydrogen is less electronegative than oxygen, generating a partial negative charge near the hydrogen atom.

    • Hydrogen is more electronegative than oxygen, generating a partial positive charge near the hydrogen atom.

    • Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, generating a partial negative charge near the oxygen atoms.

    • Oxygen is less electronegative than hydrogen, generating a partial positive charge near the oxygen atoms.

    Did this page help you?

    1
    Sme Calculator
    1 mark

    The antibiotic ampicillin is water-soluble and administered via intravenous (IV) fluids. Water's ability to dissolve ampicillin allows for efficient absorption and distribution around the body.

    Which of the following best explains how water’s polarity contributes to its ability to dissolve substances?

    • It forms hydrogen bonds with charged molecules

    • It forms covalent bonds with solutes.

    • It neutralizes ionic compounds.

    • It repels nonpolar substances.

    Did this page help you?

    2
    Sme Calculator
    1 mark

    Primary focal hyperhidrosis is a neurological condition where the sympathetic nervous system overstimulates sweat glands, leading to excessive sweating. Individuals with this condition experience extreme difficulty in regulating body temperature due to excessive fluid loss.

    A researcher investigates the cooling effect of sweat by measuring skin temperature before and after evaporative water loss in hyperhidrosis patients.

    Graph comparing skin temperature versus sweat rate in healthy individuals and hyperhidrosis patients, using green and red lines respectively.

    Which of the following best explains the data in the graph?

    • As sweat evaporates, covalent bonds are broken causing the dissipation of larger amounts of energy to the environment.

    • Water has a high heat of vaporization, absorbing thermal energy as it evaporates.

    • The polar nature of water causes salts to dissolve in an endothermic reaction removing heat energy from the body.

    • The high specific heat capacity of water means that large amounts of energy are released as sweat evaporates.

    Did this page help you?

    3
    Sme Calculator
    1 mark

    Vascular wilt disease is a fungal disease that infects the xylem, blocking water transport. The fungi invade the xylem and produce sticky gums and toxins that clog the vascular tissue leading to broken columns of water.

    Which option best explains why vascular wilt disease has a negative effect on plant growth?

    • Water movement is slowed, reducing the amount of water reaching the leaves

    • Water is unable to move through the xylem due to disrupted cohesion-tension forces

    • Water uptake by the roots decreases, limiting the availability of water for transport

    • Water evaporates too quickly from leaf surfaces, leading to excessive transpiration

    Did this page help you?