Question 1

Which of the following best describes a dehydration (condensation) reaction in the synthesis of biological polymers?

Accepted Answer

A reaction that joins two monomers by removing a molecule of water.

Question 2

Which of the following is a correct general formula for carbohydrates?

Accepted Answer

$$C_n(H_2O)_n$$

Question 3

A patient is diagnosed with high levels of LDL cholesterol. Which type of dietary fat is most likely to increase this risk?

Accepted Answer

Saturated fats

Question 4

Which of the following statements about phospholipids is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are amphipathic, with a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails.

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why cellulose cannot be digested by humans, but starch can?

Accepted Answer

Humans lack the enzyme to break the specific glycosidic bonds in cellulose.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Catalyzing biochemical reactions

Question 7

A mutation causes a single amino acid substitution in the primary structure of hemoglobin. Which level(s) of protein structure could be affected?

Accepted Answer

Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a component of a nucleotide in nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

A fatty acid

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

DNA contains deoxyribose and thymine; RNA contains ribose and uracil.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why fats store more energy per gram than carbohydrates?

Accepted Answer

Fats have more nonpolar C-H bonds, which store more energy.

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a carbohydrate polymer and its biological function?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose – structural support in plants

Question 12

Which of the following statements about enzymes is correct?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes lower the activation energy of chemical reactions.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the structure of a steroid?

Accepted Answer

A molecule with four interconnected carbon rings

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct description of a peptide bond?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

Which of the following is a real-life consequence of protein denaturation?

Accepted Answer

The loss of enzyme activity when an egg is cooked

Question 16

Which of the following best explains the amphipathic nature of phospholipids?

Accepted Answer

They have both a hydrophilic phosphate head and hydrophobic fatty acid tails.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct example of a purine and a pyrimidine found in nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Adenine (purine) and cytosine (pyrimidine)

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the primary structure of a protein?

Accepted Answer

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about the diversity of macromolecules in cells?

Accepted Answer

Cells can synthesize a wide variety of polymers from a small set of monomers.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why trans fats are considered unhealthy?

Accepted Answer

They increase 'bad' cholesterol (LDL) and decrease 'good' cholesterol (HDL).

Estructura y Función de las Macromoléculas Biológicas

Study Guide - Practice Questions