Multiple Choice
What is the role of van der Waals interactions in biological molecules?
2. Chemistry
Noncovalent Bonds
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Which of the following are considered to be very weak non-covalent chemical bonds?
A
Polar covalent bonds.
B
Ionic bonds
C
Non-polar covalent bonds.
D
Van der Waals bonds.
E
Hydrogen bonds.
F
Electrostatic bonds.
Verified step by step guidance1
Begin by understanding the concept of non-covalent bonds. These are interactions that do not involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, unlike covalent bonds.
Identify the types of non-covalent bonds listed in the problem: Van der Waals bonds, hydrogen bonds, and electrostatic bonds. Note that polar covalent and non-polar covalent bonds are covalent, not non-covalent.
Van der Waals bonds are weak interactions that occur due to transient polarization of molecules. They are considered very weak because they arise from temporary shifts in electron density.
Hydrogen bonds are stronger than Van der Waals interactions but are still considered weak compared to covalent bonds. They occur when a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom interacts with another electronegative atom.
Electrostatic bonds, also known as ionic bonds, involve the attraction between oppositely charged ions. While stronger than Van der Waals and hydrogen bonds, they are weaker than covalent bonds in biological systems.
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