Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why cellulose cannot be digested by most animals, even though it is a polymer of glucose?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose contains glucose monomers joined by $$\beta-1$$,4-glycosidic linkages, which most animals lack the enzymes to hydrolyze.

Question 2

A patient is diagnosed with a genetic disorder that results in the inability to form peptide bonds. Which biological macromolecule would be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Proteins

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids at room temperature?

Accepted Answer

Saturated fatty acids are solid at room temperature because their straight chains allow tight packing, while unsaturated fatty acids are liquid due to kinks from cis double bonds.

Question 4

During the synthesis of a disaccharide such as maltose from two glucose molecules, which type of reaction occurs and what is the byproduct?

Accepted Answer

A dehydration reaction occurs, producing $$\mathrm{H_2O} as a $$byproduct.

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why phospholipids form bilayers in aqueous environments?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipids have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails, causing them to arrange with tails inward and heads outward in water.

Question 6

A mutation causes a single amino acid substitution in the primary structure of hemoglobin. Which of the following is a possible consequence?

Accepted Answer

The protein may misfold, leading to diseases such as sickle-cell anemia.

Question 7

Which of the following correctly matches a macromolecule with its monomer?

Accepted Answer

Nucleic acids – nucleotides

Question 8

Which of the following is a function of chitin in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

It provides structural support in the exoskeletons of arthropods and cell walls of fungi.

Question 9

A researcher is studying a molecule with the formula $$C_{6}H$$_{12}$$O_{6}$. Which class of macromolecule is this molecule most likely a monomer for?

Accepted Answer

Carbohydrates

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the role of enzymes in the synthesis and breakdown of polymers?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes speed up both dehydration and hydrolysis reactions by lowering activation energy.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about the structure of DNA is correct?

Accepted Answer

DNA consists of two antiparallel strands forming a double helix, with complementary base pairing between adenine and thymine, and guanine and cytosine.

Question 12

Which of the following is a major function of fats in animals?

Accepted Answer

Long-term energy storage, insulation, and cushioning of organs.

Question 13

A scientist adds a solution of enzyme hydrolase to a sample of starch. What is the expected outcome?

Accepted Answer

The starch will be broken down into glucose monomers via hydrolysis.

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why cholesterol is considered a steroid?

Accepted Answer

Cholesterol has a structure consisting of four fused carbon rings.

Question 15

Which of the following is true regarding the quaternary structure of proteins?

Accepted Answer

It involves the association of two or more polypeptide chains into a functional protein.

Question 16

A cell is exposed to high temperatures, causing its proteins to denature. What is the most likely consequence for the cell?

Accepted Answer

Loss of protein function due to disruption of three-dimensional structure.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the flow of genetic information in a cell?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{DNA} ightarrow 	ext{RNA} ightarrow 	ext{Protein}$$

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Adenine with Thymine

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

They differ in the type of glycosidic linkages: starch has $$\alpha-1$$,4 linkages, while cellulose has $$\beta-1$$,4 linkages.

Question 20

A sample of an unknown macromolecule is found to contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and a sugar-phosphate backbone. Which class of macromolecule does it most likely belong to?

Accepted Answer

Nucleic acids

Chapter 5: The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

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