Question 1

Which property of carbon allows it to form the backbone of biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

Carbon can form four covalent bonds with other atoms, allowing for diverse molecular structures.

Question 2

A molecule of glucose ($$\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6$}) is $$classified as which type of biological molecule?

Accepted Answer

Carbohydrate

Question 3

Which of the following best explains why saturated fats are solid at room temperature?

Accepted Answer

Their fatty acid chains are straight, allowing them to pack closely together.

Question 4

Which type of bond links the monomers in a protein polymer?

Accepted Answer

Peptide bond

Question 5

A mutation changes the sequence of amino acids in a protein. Which level of protein structure is directly affected first?

Accepted Answer

Primary structure

Question 6

Which of the following is a function of nucleic acids in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Storing and transmitting genetic information

Question 7

Which of the following molecules is NOT a polymer?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipid

Question 8

What is the main structural difference between starch and cellulose?

Accepted Answer

Starch is composed of branched chains of glucose, while cellulose is composed of straight chains.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes a dehydration reaction in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

A reaction that builds polymers by removing a water molecule.

Question 10

Which of the following is a structural polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of arthropods?

Accepted Answer

Chitin

Question 11

A phospholipid molecule has which of the following properties?

Accepted Answer

It contains a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails.

Question 12

Which of the following is true about the structure of DNA?

Accepted Answer

It is a double-stranded molecule with deoxyribose sugar and thymine as a base.

Question 13

Which of the following equations correctly represents the formation of a disaccharide from two monosaccharides?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6$} + \mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6$} \rightarrow \mathrm{C$$_{12}$$H_{22}O$$_{11}} + \mathrm{H_2O}$

Question 14

Which of the following is a function of cholesterol in animal cells?

Accepted Answer

It is a precursor for steroid hormones.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

RNA contains ribose sugar, while DNA contains deoxyribose sugar.

Question 16

Which of the following elements has a valence of 3 and is commonly found in amino acids?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Lipids are mostly hydrophobic due to their long hydrocarbon chains.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world consequence of consuming excess saturated fats?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of plaque deposits in arteries, leading to heart attacks.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of ribose in nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Ribose is the sugar component of RNA nucleotides.

Question 20

A scientist is studying a molecule with the formula $$\mathrm{C$$_{27}$$H_{46}O$$}$, which is a component of cell membranes and a precursor to hormones. What type of molecule is this?

Accepted Answer

Steroid lipid (cholesterol)

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life: Biological Molecules (Chapters 4-5) – Study Notes

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