Question 1

Which property of carbon allows it to form a wide variety of organic molecules?

Accepted Answer

Its ability to form up to four covalent bonds with other atoms

Question 2

Which two functional groups are always found in amino acids?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl and amino groups

Question 3

What is the process called when monomers are joined together to form polymers, and what is released during this reaction?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration synthesis; water is released

Question 4

Which of the following is a correct formula for a typical monosaccharide?

Accepted Answer

$\mathrm{C}_6\mathrm{H}_{12}\mathrm{O}_6$

Question 5

Which of the following polysaccharides is used for energy storage in animals?

Accepted Answer

Glycogen

Question 6

What characteristic unites all lipids?

Accepted Answer

They are insoluble in water

Question 7

Which structural difference between saturated and unsaturated fats explains why one is solid and the other is liquid at room temperature?

Accepted Answer

Unsaturated fats have double bonds causing kinks in their chains

Question 8

Which of the following is a function of proteins that is NOT typically performed by carbohydrates or lipids?

Accepted Answer

Catalyzing biochemical reactions (acting as enzymes)

Question 9

What is the name of the bond formed between two amino acids during protein synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Peptide bond

Question 10

Which level of protein structure is primarily affected when a protein is denatured by heat?

Accepted Answer

Secondary and tertiary structure

Question 11

A nonpolar R group in an amino acid will most likely cause that region of a protein to:

Accepted Answer

Be hydrophobic and avoid water

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the difference between a triacylglycerol and a phospholipid?

Accepted Answer

Triacylglycerols have three fatty acids; phospholipids have two and a phosphate group

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct representation of the dehydration synthesis reaction between two amino acids?

Accepted Answer

$\mathrm{Amino\ acid}_1 + \mathrm{Amino\ acid}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{Dipeptide} + \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O}$

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a reason why proteins can perform more diverse functions than polysaccharides?

Accepted Answer

Polysaccharides have more diverse monomers than proteins

Question 15

Which of the following is the monomer of nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Nucleotide

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why unsaturated fats are more common in plants than in animals?

Accepted Answer

Unsaturated fats remain liquid at room temperature, which is advantageous for plant metabolism

Question 17

Which type of bond is primarily responsible for the secondary structure of proteins?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds

Question 18

Which of the following statements about protein denaturation is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Denaturation disrupts secondary and tertiary structure, often making the protein nonfunctional

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world example of hydrolysis?

Accepted Answer

The breakdown of starch into glucose during digestion

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the relationship between monomers and polymers?

Accepted Answer

Polymers are formed from monomers by dehydration synthesis

Study Guide: Biological Molecules (General Biology)

Study Guide - Practice Questions