Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why carbon is considered the 'building block' of life?

Accepted Answer

Carbon can form up to four covalent bonds, allowing it to build large and complex molecules.

Question 2

Which process is responsible for linking monomers together to form polymers in living organisms, and what is a key byproduct of this reaction?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration synthesis; water is released as a byproduct.

Question 3

A person with lactose intolerance lacks sufficient amounts of which enzyme, and what is the consequence of this deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Lactase; they cannot break down lactose into glucose and galactose.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Which polysaccharide is used by plants for energy storage, and which is used by animals for the same purpose?

Accepted Answer

Plants use starch; animals use glycogen.

Question 6

A mutation in the DNA sequence that changes a single amino acid in hemoglobin can lead to which disease, and what is the molecular consequence?

Accepted Answer

Sickle cell anemia; the hemoglobin protein changes shape and loses normal function.

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why cellulose is an important part of the human diet, even though humans cannot digest it?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose acts as dietary fiber, aiding in digestive health by promoting bowel movements.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Protein – amino acid

Question 9

What is the main function of phospholipids in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

They form the structural basis of cell membranes.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

A five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base

Question 11

A food manufacturer wants to increase the shelf life and stability of a snack food. Which type of fat is most likely to be added, and what is a health concern associated with it?

Accepted Answer

Trans fat; it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why prions are infectious, even though they do not contain nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Prions are misfolded proteins that induce normal proteins to misfold, disrupting cellular function.

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct description of the difference between DNA and RNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA contains deoxyribose sugar and is double-stranded; RNA contains ribose sugar and is single-stranded.

Question 14

Which of the following equations correctly represents the general formula for a monosaccharide?

Accepted Answer

$$C_nH_{2n}O_n$$

Question 15

A patient is found to have a fever of 105°F. Which of the following is a possible molecular consequence of this high temperature?

Accepted Answer

Denaturation of proteins, causing them to lose their functional shape.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the role of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis in metabolism?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration synthesis builds macromolecules by removing water; hydrolysis breaks them down by adding water.

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world example of a polysaccharide providing structural support?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose in plant cell walls

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is used in many processed foods?

Accepted Answer

HFCS is sweeter and cheaper than sucrose, making it attractive for manufacturers.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a disaccharide and its component monosaccharides?

Accepted Answer

Sucrose: glucose + fructose

The Molecules of Life: Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules

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