Question 1

Which property of carbon allows it to form the backbone of large and diverse organic molecules?

Accepted Answer

Its ability to form covalent bonds with up to four atoms

Question 2

Isomers are molecules that:

Accepted Answer

Have the same molecular formula but different structures

Question 3

Which functional group is responsible for the acidic properties of amino acids?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group ($$-COOH)$$

Question 4

A dehydration reaction is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A reaction that links monomers together to form polymers by removing water

Question 5

Which of the following is a storage polysaccharide found in animals?

Accepted Answer

Glycogen

Question 6

Which molecule is the major source of energy for most cells and has the formula $$C_6H_{12}O_6$?

Accepted Answer

Glucose

Question 7

What is the main difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Accepted Answer

Unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more double bonds, while saturated fatty acids have only single bonds

Question 8

Phospholipids are essential components of cell membranes because:

Accepted Answer

They have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, allowing them to form bilayers

Question 9

Which type of biological molecule is composed of nucleotide monomers?

Accepted Answer

Nucleic acids

Question 10

A protein loses its function when it is denatured because:

Accepted Answer

Its specific three-dimensional shape is lost

Question 11

Which of the following is a structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose

Question 12

Which chemical group is found in all amino acids and is responsible for their basic properties?

Accepted Answer

Amino group ($$-NH_2$)

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Polymers are large molecules made by joining monomers

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Storing genetic information

Question 15

Which of the following molecules contains a ring structure in its carbon skeleton?

Accepted Answer

Cyclohexane

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct representation of a peptide bond formation between two amino acids?

Accepted Answer

A dehydration reaction between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another

Question 17

Which of the following is a steroid that serves as a precursor for making other steroids, including sex hormones?

Accepted Answer

Cholesterol

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why cellulose cannot be digested by most animals?

Accepted Answer

Most animals lack the enzymes to break the specific bonds in cellulose

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

$$C_6H_{12}O_6$

Question 20

A mutation changes the sequence of amino acids in a protein. Which level(s) of protein structure will be directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Primary, secondary, tertiary, and possibly quaternary structure

The Molecules of Cells: Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules

Study Guide - Practice Questions