Question 1

Which of the following best explains why water is an excellent solvent for many biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with polar and ionic substances, allowing them to dissolve easily.

Question 2

A scientist is studying the dehydration synthesis of two glucose molecules to form maltose. Which of the following equations correctly represents this reaction?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

Which property of water is primarily responsible for the ability of some insects to walk on its surface?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion due to hydrogen bonding

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the difference between a saturated and an unsaturated fatty acid?

Accepted Answer

Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon atoms, while unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds.

Question 5

A patient is diagnosed with a genetic disorder that affects the primary structure of hemoglobin. Which level of protein structure is directly altered in this condition?

Accepted Answer

Primary structure

Question 6

Which of the following statements about hydrogen bonds is correct?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds form between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom and another electronegative atom.

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why ice floats on liquid water?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds in ice create a lattice that spaces water molecules farther apart, making ice less dense.

Question 8

Which of the following is a correct comparison between DNA and RNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA is usually double-stranded, while RNA is usually single-stranded.

Question 9

A biologist is comparing the solubility of glucose and cholesterol in water. Which property of these molecules explains their difference in solubility?

Accepted Answer

Glucose is polar and forms hydrogen bonds with water, while cholesterol is largely nonpolar and hydrophobic.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes a peptide bond?

Accepted Answer

A covalent bond formed between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Storing genetic information

Question 12

Which of the following best explains the difference between condensation (dehydration) and hydrolysis reactions?

Accepted Answer

Condensation reactions build polymers by removing water, while hydrolysis reactions break polymers by adding water.

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct statement about the four levels of protein structure?

Accepted Answer

The tertiary structure is stabilized by interactions between R groups of amino acids.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the role of phospholipids in biological membranes?

Accepted Answer

They form a bilayer with hydrophobic tails facing inward and hydrophilic heads facing outward, creating a semi-permeable membrane.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about carbohydrates is correct?

Accepted Answer

Glycogen is the main storage polysaccharide in animals.

Question 16

A researcher finds that a certain molecule contains a phosphate group, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base. This molecule is most likely a:

Accepted Answer

Nucleotide

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why water has a high specific heat?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds between water molecules require a large amount of energy to break.

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct statement about the relationship between monomers and polymers?

Accepted Answer

Polymers are large molecules made by joining many monomers together through condensation reactions.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the difference between alpha and beta glucose?

Accepted Answer

Alpha and beta glucose differ in the orientation of the -OH group on carbon 1.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why lipids are not considered true polymers?

Accepted Answer

Lipids are not made from monomers joined by dehydration synthesis.

Chemistry of Life: Study Guide for General Biology

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards