Question 1

Which of the following best explains why lactose intolerance causes discomfort after consuming dairy products?

Accepted Answer

Lactose is not digested in the small intestine and is instead broken down by bacteria in the large intestine, producing gas and discomfort.

Question 2

Which functional group is present in all amino acids and is responsible for their acidic properties?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group ($$-COOH)$$

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Linking monomers to form polymers by removing a molecule of water ($$H_2O)$$

Question 4

Which of the following statements about carbon is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Carbon is limited to forming only straight chains.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Lactose, which is made from glucose and galactose

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbon atoms, while unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds.

Question 7

Which process is responsible for breaking down starch into glucose monomers during digestion?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis, which adds a molecule of water ($$H_2O) to $$break bonds between monomers

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Storing genetic information

Question 9

A mutation in the DNA sequence that codes for hemoglobin results in sickle-cell disease. This is an example of how:

Accepted Answer

A change in the primary structure of a protein can affect its function.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why cellulose cannot be digested by most animals?

Accepted Answer

Most animals lack the enzymes needed to break the specific bonds in cellulose.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about nucleic acids is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

DNA and RNA are polymers made from nucleotide monomers.

Question 12

Which of the following is a real-world consequence of hydrogenation of plant oils?

Accepted Answer

It creates trans fats, which are associated with negative health effects.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the relationship between genes and proteins?

Accepted Answer

Genes are stretches of DNA that provide the instructions for building proteins.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Protein – Amino acid

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why most carbohydrates are hydrophilic?

Accepted Answer

They contain many hydroxyl ($$-OH) $$groups that can form hydrogen bonds with water.

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct description of the structure of a steroid?

Accepted Answer

A carbon skeleton bent to form four fused rings

Question 17

Which of the following is a direct result of denaturation of a protein?

Accepted Answer

The protein loses its three-dimensional shape and function.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains the evolutionary connection between lactose tolerance and human culture?

Accepted Answer

Lactose tolerance evolved in populations that relied on dairy products, such as northern Europeans and some East African groups.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about isomers?

Accepted Answer

Isomers have the same molecular formula but different structures.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of lactase pills for lactose-intolerant individuals?

Accepted Answer

They provide the enzyme needed to break down lactose into glucose and galactose.

The Molecules of Life: Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules

Study Guide - Practice Questions