you would expect an amino acid to contain which two functional groups

HESI A2

Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test

1. Which two functional groups would you expect an amino acid to contain?

A. R-NH2 and R-COOH
B. R-CHO and R-CO-NH
C. R-OH and R-COOR
D. R-O-R and R-COOH

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Amino acids are organic compounds that are characterized by the presence of an amino group (NH2) and a carboxylic acid group (COOH) in their chemical structure. These two functional groups, found in option A, are fundamental components of amino acids and play crucial roles in their classification and biological functions. Option B contains an aldehyde group (CHO) and an amide group (CO-NH), which are not characteristic functional groups of amino acids. Option C includes a hydroxyl group (OH) and an ester group (COOR), which are not typically present in amino acids. Option D presents ether (R-O-R) and carboxylic acid (COOH) functional groups, which do not represent the functional groups commonly found in amino acids.

2. What is the charge of an alpha particle?

A. -1
B. +1
C. +2
D. No charge

Correct answer: C

Rationale: An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, resulting in a total charge of +2 due to the presence of two positively charged protons. Therefore, the correct answer is C, indicating a charge of +2. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because an alpha particle is positively charged due to the two protons it contains, resulting in a charge of +2.

3. Which compound has a nonpolar bond in which the electrons are shared equally?

A. H₂O
B. NH₃
C. Cl₂
D. CH₄

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The compound CH₄, methane, has a nonpolar bond where carbon and hydrogen share electrons equally. This occurs because carbon and hydrogen have similar electronegativities, meaning they have equal abilities to attract shared electrons. Consequently, a nonpolar covalent bond is formed due to the balanced sharing of electrons between these atoms. Choices A, B, and C do not have nonpolar bonds with electrons shared equally. In H₂O (water), there are polar covalent bonds due to the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen. In NH₃ (ammonia), the nitrogen-hydrogen bonds are polar because of the electronegativity difference. In Cl₂ (chlorine gas), the Cl-Cl bond is nonpolar, but the question specifies a compound, not an element, and chlorine does not share its electrons equally with another element in a compound.

4. What charge do Group VIIA elements have?

A. -1
B. -2
C. 0
D. 1

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Group VIIA elements, also known as halogens, have a tendency to gain one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, resulting in a -1 charge. This is because they have seven valence electrons and need one more to complete their octet, making them highly reactive in forming -1 ions. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Choice B (-2) is incorrect because Group VIIA elements typically gain one electron, not two. Choice C (0) is incorrect as these elements tend to form -1 ions by gaining one electron. Choice D (1) is incorrect because Group VIIA elements gain electrons to form negative ions, not positive ones.

5. What is the pH of a neutral solution?

A. 7
B. 0
C. 14
D. 4

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 7. A neutral solution has a pH of 7. In the pH scale, values below 7 are acidic, 7 is neutral, and values above 7 are basic. Therefore, a solution with a pH of 7 is considered neutral as it is neither acidic nor basic. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because a pH of 0 indicates a strong acid, a pH of 14 indicates a strong base, and a pH of 4 indicates an acidic solution. None of these values represent a neutral solution.