Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Carbon can form four covalent bonds, allowing for a variety of stable and complex structures.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes a dehydration reaction in the synthesis of a polymer?

Accepted Answer

A water molecule is removed, forming a new covalent bond between two monomers.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a true polymer?

Accepted Answer

Lipid

Question 4

A molecule with the formula $$C_6H_{12}O_6$ is most likely a:

Accepted Answer

Monosaccharide

Question 5

Which of the following best distinguishes cis-trans isomers?

Accepted Answer

They have different spatial arrangements around a double bond.

Question 6

Which functional group is responsible for the acidic properties of amino acids?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group ($$-COOH)$$

Question 7

Which of the following statements about cellulose is correct?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose is composed of glucose monomers joined by $$\beta-1$$,4 glycosidic linkages.

Question 8

A patient is diagnosed with sickle-cell disease. Which of the following best explains the molecular basis of this disorder?

Accepted Answer

A single amino acid substitution in the primary structure of hemoglobin.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the structure of a phospholipid?

Accepted Answer

Two fatty acids, one glycerol, and one phosphate group

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a nitrogenous base in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Guanine pairs with cytosine

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature?

Accepted Answer

They have one or more double bonds, causing kinks in the fatty acid chains.

Question 12

Which process is responsible for breaking down glycogen into glucose monomers during fasting?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis

Question 13

Which of the following is a function of cholesterol in animal cell membranes?

Accepted Answer

It maintains membrane fluidity.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

The overall three-dimensional shape of a polypeptide due to interactions among R groups

Question 15

Which of the following is a real-life example of a hydrocarbon?

Accepted Answer

Methane ($$CH_4)$$

Question 16

Which of the following statements about ATP is correct?

Accepted Answer

ATP stores energy in the bonds between its phosphate groups.

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why starch and cellulose, both polymers of glucose, have different properties?

Accepted Answer

They have different types of glycosidic linkages between glucose monomers.

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct description of an enantiomer?

Accepted Answer

Isomers that are mirror images of each other

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about gene expression?

Accepted Answer

DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into protein.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of enzymes in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes facilitate dehydration and hydrolysis reactions by lowering activation energy.

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life: Biomolecules and Their Structures

Study Guide - Practice Questions