Question 1

Which property of carbon allows it to form the backbone of large, complex molecules essential for life?

Accepted Answer

Its four valence electrons, allowing it to form four covalent bonds with a variety of atoms

Question 2

Which of the following best describes a hydrocarbon?

Accepted Answer

A molecule composed only of carbon and hydrogen

Question 3

What is the main reason why hydrocarbons are hydrophobic?

Accepted Answer

They have nonpolar covalent bonds between carbon and hydrogen

Question 4

Which type of isomer has the same covalent bonds but differs in spatial arrangement due to the inflexibility of double bonds?

Accepted Answer

Cis-trans isomers (geometric isomers)

Question 5

A pharmaceutical company discovers that only one enantiomer of a drug is biologically active. What does this illustrate about enantiomers?

Accepted Answer

Enantiomers are mirror images and often only one is biologically active

Question 6

Which functional group is responsible for the acidic properties of acetic acid?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group $$-\mathrm{COOH}$$

Question 7

Which functional group is found in alcohols and is capable of forming hydrogen bonds with water?

Accepted Answer

Hydroxyl group $$-\mathrm{OH}$$

Question 8

Which functional group is most likely to act as a base and pick up a proton from the surrounding solution?

Accepted Answer

Amino group $$-\mathrm{NH}_2$$

Question 9

Which functional group is important for stabilizing protein structure through the formation of disulfide bridges?

Accepted Answer

Sulfhydryl group $$-\mathrm{SH}$$

Question 10

Which functional group is a key component of ATP and is involved in energy transfer within cells?

Accepted Answer

Phosphate group $$-\mathrm{OPO}_3$$^{2-}$$

Question 11

Which of the following is true about the reaction of ATP with water?

Accepted Answer

It forms ADP and releases energy

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why carbon can form an 'inexhaustible variety' of organic molecules?

Accepted Answer

Carbon can form single, double, and triple bonds with a variety of atoms

Question 13

Which type of isomer is illustrated by the difference between pentane and 2-methylbutane?

Accepted Answer

Structural isomers

Question 14

A molecule contains both a carboxyl group and an amino group. What type of molecule is this most likely to be?

Accepted Answer

An amino acid

Question 15

Which functional group, when added to DNA, can affect gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Methyl group $$-\mathrm{CH}_3$$

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct description of a ketone?

Accepted Answer

A carbonyl group attached within a carbon skeleton

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the difference between estradiol and testosterone?

Accepted Answer

They have the same carbon skeleton but differ in functional groups attached

Question 18

Which element has a valence of 3 and is essential for the structure of nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why fats are a good source of energy?

Accepted Answer

They are composed largely of hydrocarbons, which can undergo reactions that release large amounts of energy

Question 20

Which of the following functional groups is NOT polar?

Accepted Answer

Methyl group $$-\mathrm{CH}_3$$

Chapter 4: The Chemistry of Carbon – Foundation of Biological Molecules

Study Guide - Practice Questions