Question 1

Which property of carbon most directly contributes to the diversity and complexity of organic molecules found in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Its tendency to form four covalent bonds with other atoms

Question 2

Which of the following best describes dehydration synthesis in the formation of biological polymers?

Accepted Answer

It removes water to join monomers into polymers

Question 3

A patient is unable to digest lactose due to a deficiency in the enzyme lactase. Which type of biological molecule is lactose, and what is its composition?

Accepted Answer

Lactose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose

Question 4

Which of the following is a correct chemical formula for a hexose monosaccharide such as glucose?

Accepted Answer

$$C_6H_{12}O_6$

Question 5

Cellulose and chitin are both structural polysaccharides. What is a key difference between them?

Accepted Answer

Chitin contains nitrogen-containing functional groups, while cellulose does not

Question 6

Which level of protein structure is primarily maintained by peptide bonds?

Accepted Answer

Primary structure

Question 7

A protein is described as denatured when:

Accepted Answer

Its three-dimensional structure is lost, but its primary sequence remains intact

Question 8

Which of the following best explains why phospholipids form bilayers in water?

Accepted Answer

Their phosphate heads are hydrophilic and their fatty acid tails are hydrophobic

Question 9

Which molecule acts as an energy carrier in cells and releases energy when a phosphate bond is broken?

Accepted Answer

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Question 10

Which of the following statements about saturated and unsaturated fats is correct?

Accepted Answer

Saturated fats have only single bonds between carbon atoms in their fatty acid chains

Question 11

Which functional group is found in all amino acids and is responsible for their acidic properties?

Accepted Answer

Carboxylic acid group ($$-COOH)$$

Question 12

Which process is used by the body to break down starch into glucose molecules during digestion?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis

Question 13

A scientist discovers a molecule with a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. This molecule is most likely:

Accepted Answer

A nucleotide

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Energy storage

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the difference between DNA and RNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA is double-stranded, while RNA is single-stranded

Question 16

Which of the following molecules is most likely to be found as a waterproof coating on plant leaves and bird feathers?

Accepted Answer

Waxes

Question 17

A mutation causes a change in the sequence of amino acids in a protein. Which level of protein structure is directly affected by this mutation?

Accepted Answer

Primary structure

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of irreversible protein denaturation?

Accepted Answer

Frying an egg

Question 19

Which of the following molecules is a steroid and serves as a precursor for sex hormones in animals?

Accepted Answer

Cholesterol

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why lipids are insoluble in water?

Accepted Answer

They are composed mostly of nonpolar carbon and hydrogen atoms

Biological Molecules: Structure and Function (General Biology Study Notes)

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards