$$ \text{Monomer}_1 + \text{Monomer}_2 \rightarrow \text{Polymer} + H_2O $$

$$ \text{DNA} \rightarrow \text{RNA} \rightarrow \text{Protein} $$

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Starch is composed of α-glucose monomers, while cellulose is composed of β-glucose monomers.

Question 2

A dehydration reaction is crucial in the synthesis of biological polymers. Which equation correctly represents this process?

Accepted Answer

$$ 	ext{Monomer}_1 + 	ext{Monomer}_2 ightarrow 	ext{Polymer} + H_2O $$

Question 3

Which of the following statements about phospholipids is correct?

Accepted Answer

They have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails, allowing them to form bilayers in water.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Humans lack enzymes that can hydrolyze β-1,4-glycosidic linkages in cellulose.

Question 5

A patient is diagnosed with sickle-cell disease. Which molecular change is responsible for this condition?

Accepted Answer

A single amino acid substitution in the primary structure of hemoglobin.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins?

Accepted Answer

Storing genetic information.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the structure of DNA?

Accepted Answer

A double helix with antiparallel sugar-phosphate backbones and complementary base pairing.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about saturated and unsaturated fats is correct?

Accepted Answer

Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbon atoms and are solid at room temperature.

Question 9

Which of the following best explains the role of hydrogen bonds in protein structure?

Accepted Answer

They stabilize the secondary structure, such as α helices and β sheets.

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct summary of the flow of genetic information in a cell?

Accepted Answer

$$ 	ext{DNA} ightarrow 	ext{RNA} ightarrow 	ext{Protein} $$

Question 11

Which of the following is a real-world consequence of hydrogenating vegetable oils?

Accepted Answer

It creates trans fats, which are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the structure of a nucleotide?

Accepted Answer

A nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and one or more phosphate groups.

Question 13

Which of the following is a function of chitin in nature?

Accepted Answer

It forms the exoskeleton of arthropods and provides structural support in fungi.

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why proteins denature at high temperatures?

Accepted Answer

High temperatures disrupt the weak interactions (hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, hydrophobic interactions) that maintain protein structure.

Question 15

Which of the following is true about the diversity of macromolecules in cells?

Accepted Answer

A huge variety of polymers can be built from a small set of monomers.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of glycogen in animals?

Accepted Answer

It serves as a storage polysaccharide, mainly in liver and muscle cells.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world application of genomics?

Accepted Answer

Comparing the entire DNA sequences of different species to study evolutionary relationships.

Question 19

Which of the following is true about the quaternary structure of proteins?

Accepted Answer

It results from the association of two or more polypeptide chains.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why lipids are not considered true polymers?

Accepted Answer

They are not composed of repeating monomer units.

Chapter 5: The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

Study Guide - Practice Questions