Question 1

Which of the following best explains why water has a high specific heat capacity compared to most other substances?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds between water molecules require more energy to break.

Question 2

A scientist is studying a new organism and finds that its genetic material is composed of nucleotides containing uracil. Which conclusion is most likely correct?

Accepted Answer

The genetic material is RNA, because uracil replaces thymine in RNA.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Accepted Answer

Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds, causing kinks in the hydrocarbon chain.

Question 4

A patient is diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Which molecular change is responsible for this condition?

Accepted Answer

A substitution in the DNA sequence leads to a change in the R group of a single amino acid in hemoglobin.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a dehydration reaction?

Accepted Answer

Linking two monosaccharides to form a disaccharide, releasing water.

Question 6

Which property of water allows insects to walk on its surface?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion due to hydrogen bonding

Question 7

A molecule with the formula $C_{6}H_{12}O_{6}$ is classified as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A monosaccharide

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The overall three-dimensional shape of a single polypeptide chain, stabilized by interactions among R groups.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

A cell is observed to have a nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts. Which type of cell is this?

Accepted Answer

A eukaryotic plant cell

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds in ice create a lattice that is less dense than liquid water.

Question 12

Which of the following is a function of the Golgi apparatus in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a purine and a pyrimidine in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Adenine and thymine

Question 15

Stanley Miller's experiment in the 1950s demonstrated which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Organic molecules can be synthesized abiotically under early Earth conditions.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why phospholipids form bilayers in water?

Accepted Answer

Their hydrophobic tails avoid water while hydrophilic heads interact with water.

Question 17

A solution has a pH of 4. What is the concentration of hydrogen ions $[H^+]$ in the solution?

Accepted Answer

$[H^+] = 1 	imes 10^{-4} \ \mathrm{M}$

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct description of an enantiomer?

Accepted Answer

Molecules that are mirror images of each other and cannot be superimposed.

Question 19

Which of the following is a function of peroxisomes in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Detoxification of harmful substances and breakdown of fatty acids

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of chitin in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

It is a structural polysaccharide in the exoskeletons of arthropods and cell walls of fungi.

General Biology Study Notes: Key Concepts from Chapters 1–6

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards