Question 1

Which property of carbon most directly contributes to the vast diversity of organic molecules found in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Its ability to form four covalent bonds with other atoms, including itself

Question 2

Which of the following best describes a hydrocarbon?

Accepted Answer

A molecule composed only of carbon and hydrogen atoms

Question 3

Isomers are important in biology because:

Accepted Answer

They allow molecules with the same chemical formula to have different structures and biological functions

Question 4

Which functional group is characterized by the formula $$-COOH$$ and is commonly found in amino acids?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group

Question 5

A molecule with a phosphate group is likely to be involved in which of the following biological macromolecules?

Accepted Answer

Nucleic acids

Question 6

Which process is responsible for breaking down polymers into monomers in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a polymer?

Accepted Answer

Sucrose

Question 8

Which carbohydrate is a monosaccharide and serves as a primary energy source for cells?

Accepted Answer

Glucose

Question 9

How does the structure of cellulose differ from that of starch, and what is the biological consequence of this difference?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose has $$\beta-$$glycosidic linkages, making it indigestible by humans; starch has $$\alpha-$$glycosidic linkages, making it digestible

Question 10

Which of the following statements about lipids is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipids have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, making them ideal for forming cell membranes

Question 11

Which structural feature distinguishes saturated fats from unsaturated fats?

Accepted Answer

Unsaturated fats contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms, causing kinks in the fatty acid chain

Question 12

A protein loses its three-dimensional structure and function when exposed to high heat. This process is called:

Accepted Answer

Denaturation

Question 13

Which level of protein structure is primarily determined by hydrogen bonds between backbone atoms, resulting in $$\alpha-$$helices and $$\beta-$$sheets?

Accepted Answer

Secondary structure

Question 14

Amino acids differ from one another due to differences in their:

Accepted Answer

R group (side chain)

Question 15

Which of the following is a function of proteins in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Catalyzing biochemical reactions as enzymes

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the monomer of nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Nucleotide

Question 17

Which functional groups are found in a nucleotide?

Accepted Answer

Phosphate, hydroxyl, and amino groups

Question 18

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the difference between DNA and RNA?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

A patient is diagnosed with a genetic disorder that affects the structure of their collagen protein. Which level(s) of protein structure could be affected, and what type of chemical interactions are most likely disrupted?

Accepted Answer

Secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures; hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, and disulfide bridges

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

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

Organic Molecules and Macromolecules in Biology: Structure, Function, and Diversity

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