Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why carbon is considered the backbone of life?

Accepted Answer

Carbon atoms can form up to four covalent bonds, enabling the construction of large, complex, and diverse molecules.

Question 2

Which experiment provided strong evidence against the theory of vitalism by demonstrating the abiotic synthesis of organic compounds?

Accepted Answer

Stanley Miller's simulation of early Earth conditions

Question 3

A molecule with the formula $$C_6H_{12}O_6$ can be classified as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A monosaccharide

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the difference between structural isomers and cis-trans isomers?

Accepted Answer

Structural isomers have the same molecular formula but different covalent arrangements; cis-trans isomers have the same covalent bonds but differ in spatial arrangement around a double bond.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group (—COOH)

Question 6

A dehydration reaction is essential for which of the following biological processes?

Accepted Answer

Linking amino acids together to form a polypeptide chain

Question 7

Which of the following statements about cellulose and starch is correct?

Accepted Answer

Starch is composed of $$	ext{α}$$ glucose monomers and is digestible by humans; cellulose is composed of $$eta$$ glucose monomers and is not digestible by humans.

Question 8

Which of the following best explains why trans fats are considered more harmful than saturated fats?

Accepted Answer

Trans fats are more likely to increase cholesterol levels and contribute to atherosclerosis than saturated fats.

Question 9

A patient is diagnosed with sickle-cell disease, which is caused by a single amino acid substitution in the hemoglobin protein. Which level of protein structure is directly affected by this mutation?

Accepted Answer

Primary structure

Question 10

Which of the following statements about phospholipids is true?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipids form bilayers in water, with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the flow of genetic information in a eukaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

DNA → RNA → Protein

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a nitrogenous base found in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T)

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why fats are more efficient energy storage molecules than polysaccharides?

Accepted Answer

Fats contain more nonpolar C—H bonds, allowing them to store more than twice as much energy per gram as polysaccharides.

Question 14

Which of the following functional groups is NOT considered reactive but serves as an important marker on organic molecules?

Accepted Answer

Methyl group (—CH$$_3)$$

Question 15

Which of the following statements about protein denaturation is correct?

Accepted Answer

Denaturation disrupts weak chemical bonds and interactions, causing the protein to lose its functional shape.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the role of chaperonins in protein folding?

Accepted Answer

Chaperonins provide a protected environment for polypeptides to fold spontaneously into their functional shapes.

Question 17

Which of the following is a direct result of the antiparallel arrangement of DNA strands?

Accepted Answer

The two sugar-phosphate backbones run in opposite 5' → 3' directions, allowing complementary base pairing.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why humans cannot digest cellulose?

Accepted Answer

Humans lack the enzymes that can hydrolyze the $$eta$$ glycosidic linkages in cellulose.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about the relationship between DNA, genes, and proteins?

Accepted Answer

DNA contains genes, which are sequences that code for the amino acid sequence of proteins.

The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules: Carbon, Water, and Macromolecules

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards