Question 1

Which property of carbon most directly allows it to form a diverse array of organic molecules with varying structures and polarities?

Accepted Answer

Its ability to form up to four covalent bonds with other atoms

Question 2

Which functional group is responsible for making molecules acidic by donating a proton in water solutions?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group ($-COOH$)

Question 3

A molecule contains both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. Which property does this confer to the molecule in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

It can interact with both water and lipid environments

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A water molecule is removed to form a covalent bond between monomers

Question 5

Which functional group is found in ATP and is key to its role in energy transfer within cells?

Accepted Answer

Phosphate group ($-PO_4^{3-}$)

Question 6

A student is analyzing a molecule and finds it contains a $-SH$ group. What is the name of this functional group and one of its biological roles?

Accepted Answer

Sulfhydryl group; forms disulfide bridges in proteins

Question 7

Which class of biological macromolecules is primarily responsible for storing genetic information?

Accepted Answer

Nucleic acids

Question 8

What type of covalent bond links monosaccharides together to form polysaccharides?

Accepted Answer

Glycosidic bond

Question 9

Which of the following statements about hydrolysis reactions is correct?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis reactions break polymers into monomers by adding a water molecule

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Carbohydrate

Question 11

Which functional group is most likely to be found in a molecule that acts as a base by accepting a proton?

Accepted Answer

Amino group ($-NH_2$)

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

A molecule formed by the joining of small, identical or similar subunits

Question 13

Which type of bond is formed between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another?

Accepted Answer

Peptide bond

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why hydrocarbons are hydrophobic?

Accepted Answer

They lack polar functional groups and do not form hydrogen bonds with water

Question 15

Which functional group is always polar and resembles 2/3 of a water molecule?

Accepted Answer

Hydroxyl group ($-OH$)

Question 16

During the conversion of ATP to ADP, which chemical reaction occurs and what is released?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis reaction; energy is released

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Storing genetic information

Question 18

Which type of covalent bond links nucleotides together in nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Phosphodiester bond

Question 19

A molecule contains both a carboxyl group and an amino group. What type of molecule is this most likely to be?

Accepted Answer

An amino acid

Question 20

Which of the following statements about monomers and polymers is correct?

Accepted Answer

Polymers are made by joining many similar or identical monomers

General Biology Study Notes: Carbon Chemistry, Functional Groups, and Biological Macromolecules

Study Guide - Practice Questions