Question 1

Which property of water is primarily responsible for its ability to moderate Earth's climate by absorbing and releasing large amounts of heat with only slight changes in its own temperature?

Accepted Answer

High specific heat due to hydrogen bonding

Question 2

A sodium ion ($\mathrm{Na^+}$) is introduced into a beaker of water. How will the water molecules orient themselves around the ion, and why?

Accepted Answer

The hydrogen atoms will face the sodium ion because they are partially positive.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Ice is less dense than liquid water because hydrogen bonds keep water molecules farther apart in the solid state.

Question 4

A protein is exposed to high heat and extreme pH. What is most likely to happen to its structure and function?

Accepted Answer

The protein will denature, losing its 3D shape and function.

Question 5

Which of the following reactions best represents the formation of a disaccharide from two monosaccharides?

Accepted Answer

$\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6 + C_6H_{12}O_6 \rightarrow C_{12}H_{22}O_{11} + H_2O}$ (dehydration synthesis)

Question 6

Which of the following statements about prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is correct?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not.

Question 7

A scientist wants to isolate the mitochondria from a plant cell. Which property of the mitochondria would be most useful for this separation?

Accepted Answer

Their size and density compared to other organelles

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the function of the Golgi apparatus in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Packages and distributes proteins and lipids to their destination

Question 9

Which of the following is a correct statement about the structure of a phospholipid and its role in the cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipids have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails, forming a bilayer that acts as a barrier to most water-soluble substances.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why water is an excellent solvent for salts such as sodium chloride ($\mathrm{NaCl}$)?

Accepted Answer

Water is polar, allowing it to surround and separate the positive and negative ions.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Plant eukaryotic cell

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the process of hydrolysis in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Breaking a polymer into monomers by adding a water molecule

Question 13

Which organelle is primarily responsible for detoxifying harmful substances and producing lipids in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)

Question 14

Which of the following statements about macromolecules is correct?

Accepted Answer

Carbohydrates are made of monosaccharides joined by glycosidic bonds.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A large amount of energy is required to break the hydrogen bonds between water molecules.

Question 16

Which of the following is a function of lysosomes in animal cells?

Accepted Answer

Digesting macromolecules and recycling cellular components

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the difference between adhesion and cohesion in water?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion is the attraction of water molecules to each other, while adhesion is the attraction of water molecules to other substances.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why enzymes are specific to the reactions they catalyze?

Accepted Answer

The shape of the enzyme's active site matches only specific substrates.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information.

Question 20

A cell is placed in a solution and begins to swell and burst. What type of solution is the cell in, and what is the process called?

Accepted Answer

The cell is in a hypotonic solution; the process is osmosis.

General Biology Study Notes: Water, Macromolecules, and Cell Structure

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards