Question 1

Which of the following best describes a monosaccharide?

Accepted Answer

A simple sugar with the general formula $$C_nH_{2n}O_n$$ where $$n = 3 to$$ $$7$$

Question 2

Which of the following is a correct example of a disaccharide and its function?

Accepted Answer

Sucrose; energy and carbon transport in plants

Question 3

What is the main structural difference between alpha-glucose and beta-glucose in their ring forms?

Accepted Answer

Alpha-glucose has the OH group on C1 pointing down, while beta-glucose has it pointing up

Question 4

Which of the following polysaccharides is composed of β-glucose and forms straight, unbranched chains?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose

Question 5

A patient is diagnosed with a genetic disorder that prevents the digestion of β(1→4) glycosidic bonds. Which dietary component will be most affected?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why humans can digest starch but not cellulose?

Accepted Answer

Humans have enzymes that hydrolyze α(1→4) glycosidic bonds but not β(1→4) bonds

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Cell identity recognition

Question 8

Which of the following statements about glycogen is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

It is stored in the liver and skeletal muscle in animals

Question 9

A scientist isolates a carbohydrate from the exoskeleton of a crab (see image 5). Which of the following is most likely the main component?

Accepted Answer

Chitin

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the process by which two monosaccharides are joined to form a disaccharide?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration (condensation) reaction

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct match between a carbohydrate and its biological role?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose; structural support in plant cell walls

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why cellulose forms strong fibers in plant cell walls (see image 3)?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds between parallel β-glucose chains create rigid microfibrils

Question 13

Which of the following is a sugar alcohol derived from a monosaccharide and lacks a carbonyl group?

Accepted Answer

Glycerol

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the structure of amylopectin?

Accepted Answer

A branched polymer of α-glucose with both α(1→4) and α(1→6) linkages

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a function of carbohydrates in cells?

Accepted Answer

Catalyzing chemical reactions

Question 16

A researcher is studying a carbohydrate that is a polymer of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) with β(1→4) linkages. This carbohydrate is most likely:

Accepted Answer

Chitin

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the difference between oligosaccharides and polysaccharides?

Accepted Answer

Oligosaccharides are short chains (about 10 units), polysaccharides are long chains (hundreds to thousands of units)

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-life example of an oligosaccharide function?

Accepted Answer

Inulin in onions acting as a soluble fiber

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the chemical formula for a typical monosaccharide?

Accepted Answer

$$C_nH_{2n}O_n$$ where $$n = 3 to$$ $$7$$

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about the formation of ring structures in monosaccharides?

Accepted Answer

Ring formation is a rearrangement of atoms within a single molecule with no gain or loss of water

Carbohydrates: Structure, Types, and Functions in Cell Biology

Study Guide - Practice Questions