4. Biomolecules

Stanley Miller's experiments were significant because he demonstrated that __________.

Which of the following best describes the primary role of carbon in biological systems?

The carbon atom possesses __________ valence electron(s).

What is the three-dimensional shape created by hybrid orbitals that are formed when a carbon atom is covalently bonded with four other atoms?

Using modern equipment, a former graduate student of Stanley Miller recently reanalyzed the sample results of volcano simulation experiments that Miller conducted along with his classic experiment described in the text. This reanalysis did which of the following?

Which of the following are properties of hydrocarbons?

Which of the following is an organic molecule?

The two compounds


are related to each other by being __________.

A pharmaceutical company was forced to recall a pain reliever medication that had been linked to the fatalities of several hundred people. Analysis of the recalled drug revealed the presence of two isomers due to an asymmetrical carbon atom in the drug molecule. What can be hypothesized from this observation?

Which molecule has the shape of a completed tetrahedron?

Pharmaceutical companies are selling billions of dollars' worth of single-enantiomer drugs. Why might it be important to use only one form of an enantiomer?