Question 1

Which property of carbon makes it uniquely suited to form the backbone of biological macromolecules?

Accepted Answer

Its ability to form up to four covalent bonds, allowing for complex molecules

Question 2

Which functional group is responsible for the acidic properties of amino acids?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group $\mathrm{(-COOH)}$

Question 3

A hydrocarbon chain with only single bonds and the maximum number of hydrogens is classified as:

Accepted Answer

Saturated fatty acid

Question 4

Which reaction is responsible for the synthesis of polymers from monomers in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration reaction (synthesis)

Question 5

Which of the following macromolecules is NOT a polymer?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipid

Question 6

A molecule with the formula $\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}$ is most likely a:

Accepted Answer

Monosaccharide

Question 7

Which functional group is found in both phospholipids and nucleic acids, and is important for energy transfer?

Accepted Answer

Phosphate group $\mathrm{(-PO_4)}$

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

They have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions

Question 9

What type of bond links two monosaccharides together to form a disaccharide?

Accepted Answer

Glycosidic linkage

Question 10

Which functional group is most likely to act as a base by accepting a proton ($\mathrm{H^+}$)?

Accepted Answer

Amino group $\mathrm{(-NH_2)}$

Question 11

Which of the following is a function of proteins that is NOT performed by any other macromolecule?

Accepted Answer

Providing hereditary information

Question 12

A student mixes a nonpolar lipid with water and observes that it does not dissolve. Which property of lipids explains this observation?

Accepted Answer

Lipids are hydrophobic

Question 13

Which of the following statements about dehydration and hydrolysis reactions is correct?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration reactions build polymers by removing water; hydrolysis breaks polymers by adding water

Question 14

Which macromolecule is composed of monomers called amino acids?

Accepted Answer

Proteins

Question 15

Which structural level of a protein involves interactions between multiple polypeptide chains?

Accepted Answer

Quaternary structure

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct description of a monosaccharide?

Accepted Answer

A single sugar molecule classified by the number of carbons

Question 17

Which functional group is found in cysteine and is important for protein structure due to its ability to form disulfide bonds?

Accepted Answer

Sulfhydryl group $\mathrm{(-SH)}$

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why unsaturated fatty acids tend to be liquid at room temperature?

Accepted Answer

They contain double bonds that create kinks, preventing tight packing

Question 19

Which macromolecule contains a 3-carbon alcohol backbone and fatty acid chains connected via ester linkages?

Accepted Answer

Fat (triglyceride)

Question 20

Which of the following is true about the structure of steroids?

Accepted Answer

They have a backbone of 3 six-carbon rings and 1 five-carbon ring

General Biology Study Notes: Biological Importance of Carbon and Biological Macromolecules

Study Guide - Practice Questions