Question 1

Which of the following best describes the relationship between monomers and polymers in biological macromolecules?

Accepted Answer

Polymers are constructed from monomers via dehydration synthesis, which removes water to form covalent bonds.

Question 2

A scientist is studying the effect of temperature on enzyme activity. Which variable is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

The temperature at which the reaction occurs

Question 3

Which of the following statements about water is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Water molecules are held together by ionic bonds.

Question 4

Which equation correctly represents the relationship between energy, work, and heat in the first law of thermodynamics?

Accepted Answer

$\Delta E = q + w$

Question 5

A cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. What will most likely happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

Water will leave the cell, causing it to shrink (crenate or undergo plasmolysis).

Question 6

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 heads facing water and tails facing inward.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Storing genetic information

Question 8

Which of the following statements about DNA and RNA is correct?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the induced-fit model of enzyme function?

Accepted Answer

The enzyme's active site changes shape to better fit the substrate upon binding.

Question 10

Which of the following is a major difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, while prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus.

Question 11

Which of the following functional groups is most likely to act as a base in biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

Amino group ($-NH_2$)

Question 12

A patient is diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic disorder affecting cholesterol uptake. Which cellular structure is most likely defective?

Accepted Answer

Plasma membrane receptor proteins

Question 13

Which process is responsible for the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration?

Accepted Answer

Osmosis

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the role of ATP in cellular metabolism?

Accepted Answer

ATP provides energy for cellular processes by transferring a phosphate group.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct statement about the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipids and proteins can move laterally within the membrane, giving it flexibility.

Question 16

Which of the following equations correctly represents the dissociation of water and the calculation of pH?

Accepted Answer

$\mathrm{pH} = -\log_{10}[H^+]$

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why enzymes are specific to their substrates?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes have active sites with unique shapes that only fit specific substrates.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of a buffer system in the human body?

Accepted Answer

The carbonic acid/bicarbonate system regulating blood pH

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the cytoskeleton is correct?

Accepted Answer

Microtubules, intermediate filaments, and actin filaments all contribute to cell shape and movement.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the difference between passive and active transport?

Accepted Answer

Passive transport moves substances down their concentration gradient without energy input, while active transport requires energy to move substances against the gradient.

General Biology: Core Concepts and Learning Objectives

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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