Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why carbon is the backbone of most biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

Carbon can form up to four covalent bonds, allowing for a variety of molecular structures.

Question 2

A hydrocarbon molecule will be nonpolar because:

Accepted Answer

It contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Question 3

Which functional group acts as a base and is commonly found in amino acids?

Accepted Answer

Amino group $-NH_2$

Question 4

What is the generic formula for most carbohydrates?

Accepted Answer

$C_nH_{2n}O_n$

Question 5

Which process joins monomers together to form polymers, releasing water as a byproduct?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration synthesis

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Catalysis of chemical reactions

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the primary structure of a protein?

Accepted Answer

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain

Question 8

A change in a single amino acid in a protein can:

Accepted Answer

Change the protein's function dramatically

Question 9

Which of the following is a structural polysaccharide found in plant cells?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose

Question 10

Which factor can cause denaturation of a protein?

Accepted Answer

High temperature

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a component of a nucleotide?

Accepted Answer

A carboxyl group

Question 12

Which of the following statements about DNA and RNA is correct?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

Which functional group is responsible for regulating DNA and is nonpolar?

Accepted Answer

Methyl group $-CH_3$

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the tertiary structure of a protein?

Accepted Answer

The overall 3D shape formed by interactions between R groups

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct example of a dehydration synthesis reaction?

Accepted Answer

Joining two monosaccharides to form a disaccharide and releasing $H_2O$

Question 16

Which functional group is commonly found in sugars and is polar?

Accepted Answer

Hydroxyl group $-OH$

Question 17

Which of the following is true about the secondary structure of proteins?

Accepted Answer

It is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between backbone atoms.

Question 18

Which of the following is a function of nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Information storage

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct application of the Chargaff rule for DNA?

Accepted Answer

The percentage of adenine equals the percentage of thymine.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the difference between a polypeptide and a protein?

Accepted Answer

A polypeptide is a chain of amino acids without a final shape; a protein has a final shape and function.

Biological Molecules: Structure, Function, and Diversity

Study Guide - Practice Questions