Question 1

Which of the following best describes a polymer?

Accepted Answer

A long molecule consisting of many similar or identical building blocks linked by covalent bonds.

Question 2

What type of reaction is responsible for linking monomers together to form a polymer, and what is released during this process?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration reaction; water is released.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a polymer?

Accepted Answer

Lipid

Question 4

Glucose has the molecular formula $$C_6H_{12}O_6$. Which of the following is a correct general formula for a monosaccharide?

Accepted Answer

$$C_nH_{2n}O_n$$

Question 5

Which bond forms between two monosaccharides during the synthesis of a disaccharide?

Accepted Answer

Glycosidic linkage

Question 6

Which polysaccharide is a major component of plant cell walls and is difficult for most animals to digest?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose

Question 7

What structural feature distinguishes saturated fats from unsaturated fats?

Accepted Answer

Saturated fats have only single bonds in their fatty acid chains, while unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Their fatty acid tails are hydrophobic and their phosphate heads are hydrophilic.

Question 9

Which of the following is a function of cholesterol in animal cells?

Accepted Answer

It is a precursor for steroid hormones and a component of cell membranes.

Question 10

A protein's tertiary structure is primarily stabilized by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Interactions among R groups (side chains) of amino acids

Question 11

Which of the following environmental changes is most likely to cause protein denaturation?

Accepted Answer

A change in pH

Question 12

Which level of protein structure is determined by the sequence of amino acids?

Accepted Answer

Primary structure

Question 13

Which of the following statements about nucleic acids is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose, while RNA contains the sugar ribose.

Question 14

What is the main function of messenger RNA (mRNA) in cells?

Accepted Answer

To carry genetic instructions from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the difference between starch and cellulose?

Accepted Answer

Starch has $$\alpha-$$glucose linkages, while cellulose has $$\beta-$$glucose linkages.

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a macromolecule and its monomer?

Accepted Answer

Carbohydrate – Monosaccharide

Question 17

A mutation changes a single amino acid in the primary structure of a protein. Which levels of protein structure could potentially be affected?

Accepted Answer

Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-life example of a polysaccharide with a structural role?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose in plant cell walls

Question 19

Which of the following statements about chitin is correct?

Accepted Answer

Chitin is found in the exoskeleton of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why animal fats are solid at room temperature while plant oils are liquid?

Accepted Answer

Animal fats are composed of saturated fatty acids, which pack closely together.

Chapter 5 Biology

Study Guide - Practice Questions