Question 1

Which property of water is primarily responsible for the formation of surface tension, allowing insects like water striders to walk on water?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion due to hydrogen bonding between water molecules

Question 2

Why is ice less dense than liquid water, allowing it to float?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds lock water molecules into a crystalline lattice with more open space

Question 3

A scientist is studying a molecule with the formula $C_6H_{12}O_6$. She finds two compounds with this formula, but they have different physical properties. What is the most likely explanation?

Accepted Answer

They are isomers with different arrangements of atoms

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why water is an effective solvent for ionic compounds?

Accepted Answer

Water's polarity allows it to form hydrogen bonds with ions, separating them

Question 5

Which functional group is responsible for the acidic properties of organic acids such as acetic acid?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group $(-COOH)$

Question 6

A patient is given a medication that is a racemic mixture of two enantiomers. Only one enantiomer is effective. What is the most likely reason for this difference?

Accepted Answer

Enantiomers have different arrangements of atoms, affecting their interaction with biological molecules

Question 7

Which of the following statements about carbon is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Carbon can only form single bonds with other atoms

Question 8

Which property of water allows it to moderate Earth's climate by absorbing and releasing large amounts of heat with only a slight change in its own temperature?

Accepted Answer

High specific heat

Question 9

A researcher adds a drop of water to a glass slide and observes that it forms a bead rather than spreading out. Which property of water is most directly responsible for this observation?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion among water molecules

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the difference between structural isomers and cis-trans isomers?

Accepted Answer

Structural isomers differ in the arrangement of atoms; cis-trans isomers differ in the spatial arrangement around a double bond

Question 11

Which functional group is most likely to be involved in stabilizing protein structure through the formation of disulfide bonds?

Accepted Answer

Sulfhydryl group $(-SH)$

Question 12

A molecule contains both a carbonyl group and a hydroxyl group attached to the same carbon atom. Which functional group does this describe?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of adhesion?

Accepted Answer

Water climbing up a paper towel when it touches a spill

Question 15

A molecule with the formula $C_5H_{10}O_5$ is found to have two different forms: one with the carbonyl group at the end of the carbon chain and one with the carbonyl group within the chain. What type of isomerism does this represent?

Accepted Answer

Structural isomerism

Question 16

Which of the following functional groups is most likely to act as a base by picking up a proton ($H^+$) from the surrounding solution?

Accepted Answer

Amino group $(-NH_2)$

Question 17

Which property of water is most important for the movement of water from the roots to the leaves in plants?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion and adhesion working together

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the role of methyl groups in biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

They affect the expression of genes when added to DNA

Question 19

A molecule contains a phosphate group. Which of the following is a likely property of this molecule?

Accepted Answer

It has the potential to react with water, releasing energy

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why the arrangement of atoms in a molecule is critical for its function in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

The arrangement affects the molecule's shape, which determines how it interacts with other molecules

General Biology Study Notes: Water, Carbon, and Functional Groups

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards