Question 1

Which of the following macromolecules is NOT a polymer, and why?

Accepted Answer

Lipids, because they are not formed by repetitive monomer units linked by covalent bonds.

Question 2

Which of the following is a ketose sugar?

Accepted Answer

Fructose

Question 3

An asymmetric carbon is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

A carbon atom bonded to four different groups.

Question 4

Which of the following correctly describes the general structure of an amino acid?

Accepted Answer

A central carbon bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a variable R group.

Question 5

What determines the chemical activity of an amino acid?

Accepted Answer

The properties of its R group (side chain).

Question 6

Which of the following R groups would make an amino acid hydrophobic?

Accepted Answer

A nonpolar hydrocarbon side chain.

Question 7

In DNA, which base pairs with guanine, and how many hydrogen bonds are formed between them?

Accepted Answer

Cytosine; 3 hydrogen bonds

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a basic feature shared by all cells?

Accepted Answer

A nucleus

Question 9

Which organelle is responsible for ATP production in eukaryotic cells, and what is the name of its innermost compartment?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrion; matrix

Question 10

Which scientist is most associated with the discovery of the cell, and what evidence did he provide?

Accepted Answer

Robert Hooke; he observed cork cells under a microscope and coined the term 'cell'.

Question 11

Which of the following is a function of the cytoskeleton?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining cell shape and enabling movement via motor proteins.

Question 12

Which of the following is a motor protein that moves along microtubules?

Accepted Answer

Kinesin

Question 13

Which component is NOT part of the extracellular matrix in animal cells?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose

Question 14

What is the primary function of the extracellular matrix?

Accepted Answer

Providing structural support and regulating cell behavior.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the structure of a phospholipid in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

A molecule with a hydrophilic phosphate head and two hydrophobic fatty acid tails.

Question 16

If a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, what will happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

Water will flow out of the cell, causing it to shrink.

Question 17

Which equation correctly represents the calculation of osmotic pressure ($$\Pi) $$using van't Hoff's law?

Accepted Answer

$$\Pi = iCRT$$

Question 18

Which of the following statements correctly distinguishes prokaryotic cells from eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells possess them.

Question 19

Which compartment of the chloroplast contains the enzymes for the Calvin cycle?

Accepted Answer

Stroma

Question 20

A patient is given an intravenous solution that is hypotonic to their blood plasma. What is the most likely effect on their red blood cells?

Accepted Answer

Red blood cells will swell and may burst due to water influx.

General Biology: Core Concepts and Terminology Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions