Question 1

Which property of carbon most directly contributes to its ability to form a vast diversity of organic molecules?

Accepted Answer

Its ability to form four covalent bonds with a variety of atoms

Question 2

Which of the following best explains why only one enantiomer of a drug may be biologically active in humans?

Accepted Answer

Enantiomers are mirror images and only one fits the active site of a biological molecule

Question 3

A molecule with the formula $$C_4H_{10}$$ can exist as two different compounds: butane and isobutane. These compounds are examples of:

Accepted Answer

Structural isomers

Question 4

Which functional group is present in all amino acids and acts as a base by accepting $$H^+$$ ions?

Accepted Answer

Amino group

Question 5

What is the main reason that hydrocarbons are excellent sources of energy?

Accepted Answer

They have many nonpolar covalent bonds that release energy when broken

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the shape of a carbon atom bonded to four other atoms?

Accepted Answer

Tetrahedral

Question 7

Which of the following molecules contains a carbonyl group?

Accepted Answer

Acetone ($$CH_3COCH_3)$$

Question 8

ATP is considered the energy currency of the cell because:

Accepted Answer

Its hydrolysis releases energy that can be used for cellular work

Question 9

Which of the following statements about isomers is correct?

Accepted Answer

Cis-trans isomers differ in the arrangement of atoms around a double bond

Question 10

A fat molecule contains long hydrocarbon chains. What property do these chains impart to fats?

Accepted Answer

They allow fats to store large amounts of energy

Question 11

Which of the following functional groups is most likely to be involved in forming covalent bonds that stabilize protein structure (such as disulfide bridges)?

Accepted Answer

Sulfhydryl group

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why estradiol and testosterone, though both steroids, have different effects in the body?

Accepted Answer

They have different functional groups attached to the same carbon skeleton

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a way that carbon skeletons can vary to create molecular diversity?

Accepted Answer

Type of element bonded to carbon

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the reaction that occurs when ATP is hydrolyzed in the cell?

Accepted Answer

ATP + $$H_2O \rightarrow$$ ADP + $$P_i + $$energy

Question 15

Which functional group is characteristic of alcohols and increases the solubility of organic molecules in water?

Accepted Answer

Hydroxyl group ($$-OH)$$

Question 16

A molecule with the formula $$C_6H_{12}O_6$ can exist as both glucose and fructose. These two sugars are:

Accepted Answer

Structural isomers

Question 17

Which of the following statements about the versatility of carbon is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Carbon can only form linear molecules

Question 18

Which of the following functional groups is most likely to act as an acid by donating a proton ($$H^+) to $$solution?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the difference between cis and trans isomers?

Accepted Answer

Cis isomers have functional groups on the same side of a double bond, trans isomers have them on opposite sides

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world example of the importance of isomers in biology?

Accepted Answer

The difference in biological activity between two enantiomers of a drug

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life: Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards