Question 1

Which of the following best explains why water is considered a polar molecule?

Accepted Answer

Water has a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge near the hydrogen atoms due to unequal sharing of electrons.

Question 2

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 3

A scientist is studying a molecule that contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio. Which class of macromolecule is this most likely to be?

Accepted Answer

Carbohydrate

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

Which of the following is a correct statement about dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis reactions?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration synthesis joins monomers to form polymers by removing water, while hydrolysis breaks polymers into monomers by adding water.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds in ice cause water molecules to be spaced farther apart, making ice less dense than liquid water.

Question 7

A peptide bond is formed between which two functional groups of amino acids?

Accepted Answer

Amino group and carboxyl group

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Storing genetic information

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain

Question 10

Which of the following statements about nucleic acids is correct?

Accepted Answer

DNA stores genetic information, while RNA is involved in protein synthesis.

Question 11

A student mixes table salt (NaCl) in water and observes that it dissolves. Which property of water is most responsible for this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Water's polarity, allowing it to surround and separate ions

Question 12

Which of the following best describes a hydrogen bond?

Accepted Answer

A weak attraction between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom and another electronegative atom

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct comparison between starch and cellulose?

Accepted Answer

Starch is composed of alpha-glucose monomers, while cellulose is composed of beta-glucose monomers.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Lipids are not made of monomers joined by dehydration synthesis.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct statement about the secondary structure of proteins?

Accepted Answer

It involves hydrogen bonding between the backbone atoms of the polypeptide chain, forming alpha helices and beta sheets.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the difference between a covalent bond and an ionic bond?

Accepted Answer

Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons, while ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons.

Question 17

A patient is diagnosed with a genetic disorder that affects the structure of their hemoglobin protein. Which level of protein structure is most likely directly affected by a single amino acid substitution?

Accepted Answer

Primary structure

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Polymers are made by joining monomers together through dehydration synthesis reactions.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why cellulose is insoluble in water, while glucose is highly soluble?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose forms extensive hydrogen bonds within and between its chains, making it insoluble, while glucose forms hydrogen bonds with water, making it soluble.

General Biology Study Guide: Chemistry of Life and Biological Molecules

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards