proteins are made up of

HESI A2

HESI A2 Chemistry

1. What are proteins made up of?

A. Fatty acids
B. Amino acids
C. Nucleotides
D. Sugars

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Proteins are made up of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, essential for various biological processes in the body such as enzyme function, transport, and structural support. Fatty acids (Choice A) are components of lipids, not proteins. Nucleotides (Choice C) are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, not proteins. Sugars (Choice D) are carbohydrates and are not the primary components of proteins.

2. What type of intermolecular force is a dipole attraction?

A. Strong
B. Weak
C. Medium
D. Very strong

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A dipole attraction is considered a weak intermolecular force. It occurs between molecules with permanent dipoles, where the positive end of one molecule is attracted to the negative end of another molecule. While dipole-dipole interactions are stronger than dispersion forces, they are weaker than hydrogen bonding or ion-dipole interactions. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Weak.' Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because dipole attractions are not classified as strong, medium, or very strong intermolecular forces, but rather fall into the category of weak intermolecular forces.

3. Which of the following best describes an endothermic reaction?

A. A reaction that absorbs heat
B. A reaction that releases heat
C. A reaction that does not involve heat
D. A reaction that remains at a constant temperature

Correct answer: A

Rationale: An endothermic reaction is a process that absorbs heat from its surroundings. When a reaction absorbs heat, it leads to a decrease in the temperature of the surroundings, making choice A the correct description. In an endothermic reaction, energy is taken in from the surroundings, resulting in a decrease in temperature around the reaction site. Choice B is incorrect because a reaction that releases heat is known as an exothermic reaction. Choice C is incorrect as all reactions involve heat to some extent. Choice D is incorrect as an endothermic reaction does not remain at a constant temperature but rather absorbs heat, leading to a temperature decrease in the surroundings.

4. What is the primary function of enzymes?

A. To provide energy for reactions
B. To speed up reactions
C. To decrease activation energy
D. To act as a catalyst

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Enzymes function to speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. They act as biological catalysts, providing an alternative pathway for the reaction to proceed more rapidly without being consumed in the process. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because enzymes do not provide energy for reactions (they do not generate energy), their primary function is not to decrease activation energy (though they do lower it), and while they act as catalysts, the primary function is to speed up reactions by lowering activation energy.

5. Which statement is true of a saturated solution?

A. It has more solute than can dissolve in the solvent.
B. It has less solute that can dissolve in the solvent.
C. It has the maximum concentration of the solute dissolved in the solvent.
D. It contains a precipitate that lowers the concentration of the solute in the solvent.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A saturated solution contains the maximum concentration of solute that can be dissolved in a specific amount of solvent at a particular temperature. Once a solution is saturated, adding more solute will not increase its concentration since the excess solute will not dissolve and will instead form a precipitate, indicating that the solution is at its maximum capacity. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because a saturated solution has reached its limit in dissolving solute, so it cannot contain more solute than it can dissolve (choice A), less solute than it can dissolve (choice B), or a precipitate that lowers the concentration of the solute in the solvent (choice D).