Question 1

Which process is responsible for assembling polymers from monomers in biological systems, and what is the chemical change that occurs during this process?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration reaction; a water molecule is removed to form a bond

Question 2

Which type of bond connects monomer subunits in polymers such as proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Covalent bonds

Question 3

During the breakdown of a polymer in your digestive tract, which process occurs and what is the role of water?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis; water is added to break the bond

Question 4

Which of the following statements about enzymes in the synthesis and breakdown of polymers is correct?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes are specialized macromolecules that speed up chemical reactions

Question 5

A dehydration reaction between two glucose molecules forms which type of bond?

Accepted Answer

Glycosidic bond

Question 6

Which of the following is a disaccharide found in milk and formed by joining glucose and galactose?

Accepted Answer

Lactose

Question 7

Which polysaccharide is used for energy storage in animals and is highly branched?

Accepted Answer

Glycogen

Question 8

A scientist discovers a polysaccharide that is unbranched and cannot be digested by humans. Which polysaccharide is this most likely to be?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose

Question 9

Which structural feature distinguishes cellulose from starch?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose contains beta-glucose monomers forming straight, unbranched chains

Question 10

Which polysaccharide contains nitrogen and is found in the exoskeletons of insects and the cell walls of fungi?

Accepted Answer

Chitin

Question 11

Which form of starch is unbranched and consists of glucose monomers connected by 1-4 glycosidic linkages?

Accepted Answer

Amylose

Question 12

Why can't humans digest cellulose, even though it is a polymer of glucose?

Accepted Answer

Humans lack enzymes to hydrolyze beta-glycosidic linkages

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the general formula for a monosaccharide?

Accepted Answer

$C_nH_{2n}O_n$

Question 14

Which functional groups are present in all monosaccharides?

Accepted Answer

Carbonyl and hydroxyl groups

Question 15

A patient is unable to digest milk due to a deficiency in the enzyme lactase. Which chemical reaction is impaired in this patient?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis of the glycosidic bond in lactose

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct multi-step pathway for the digestion of starch in humans?

Accepted Answer

Starch is hydrolyzed by enzymes into glucose monomers, which are then used in cellular respiration to produce ATP

Question 17

Which of the following statements about the relationship between structure and function in polysaccharides is correct?

Accepted Answer

The function of a polysaccharide depends on both the type of monomer and the position of glycosidic linkages

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of a structural polysaccharide providing protection and rigidity?

Accepted Answer

Chitin forming the exoskeleton of a crab

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why glucose and galactose are considered isomers?

Accepted Answer

They have the same molecular formula but differ in the spatial arrangement around asymmetric carbons

Question 20

Which of the following equations correctly represents the dehydration reaction that forms a disaccharide from two monosaccharides?

Accepted Answer

$C_6H_{12}O_6 + C_6H_{12}O_6 \rightarrow C_{12}H_{22}O_{11} + H_2O$

Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules: Polymers and Monomers

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