Question 1

Which process is responsible for joining monomers together to form a polymer, and what is the byproduct of this reaction?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration synthesis; water is released

Question 2

A patient is unable to digest cellulose but can digest starch. Which structural difference between these polysaccharides explains this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose has β-1,4 glycosidic linkages, while starch has α-1,4 glycosidic linkages

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the structure of a phospholipid in a cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

A glycerol backbone with two fatty acid tails and a phosphate group

Question 4

What is the main function of glycogen in animal cells?

Accepted Answer

Short-term energy storage

Question 5

Which of the following statements about proteins is correct?

Accepted Answer

Proteins are composed of amino acids joined by peptide bonds

Question 6

A mutation causes a single amino acid substitution in the primary structure of hemoglobin. Which level(s) of protein structure could be affected?

Accepted Answer

Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why trans fats are considered unhealthy?

Accepted Answer

They are produced by hydrogenation, which creates unnatural double bonds that can raise LDL cholesterol

Question 8

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a nucleic acid with its monomer and function?

Accepted Answer

DNA; nucleotide; stores genetic information

Question 9

Which of the following is a pyrimidine found in RNA but not in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Uracil

Question 10

A scientist is studying a molecule with the formula $C_6H_{12}O_6$. Which class of biomolecule does this most likely represent?

Accepted Answer

A monosaccharide

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the process of hydrolysis?

Accepted Answer

A water molecule is added to break a bond in a polymer

Question 12

Which of the following is a function of proteins in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Catalyzing biochemical reactions as enzymes

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why cellulose is a good structural material in plants?

Accepted Answer

It forms straight, unbranched chains that provide strength

Question 14

Which of the following is true about the structure of DNA?

Accepted Answer

It is usually double-stranded and forms a helix

Question 15

A person with sickle cell disease has a mutation in the gene for hemoglobin. This mutation results in:

Accepted Answer

A change in the primary structure of the protein

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the amphipathic nature of phospholipids?

Accepted Answer

They have both hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct match between a macromolecule and its function?

Accepted Answer

Proteins; provide structural support and catalyze reactions

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why enzymes are highly specific in their action?

Accepted Answer

Their active site has a unique shape that only fits specific substrates

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct description of a peptide bond?

Accepted Answer

A bond between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Accepted Answer

Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds, while unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds

The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

Study Guide - Practice Questions