Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a function of carbohydrates in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Acting as enzymes to catalyze biochemical reactions

Question 2

What is the general formula for a monosaccharide with $$n$$ carbon atoms?

Accepted Answer

$$C_nH_{2n}O_n$$

Question 3

Which statement correctly distinguishes between aldoses and ketoses?

Accepted Answer

Aldoses contain an aldehyde group, while ketoses contain a ketone group.

Question 4

Which of the following is a ketose triose?

Accepted Answer

Dihydroxyacetone

Question 5

Monosaccharides are chiral molecules. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

They have at least one carbon atom bonded to four different substituents.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes enantiomers?

Accepted Answer

Optical isomers that are nonsuperimposable mirror images of each other

Question 7

In Fischer projections, how is the D-configuration of a monosaccharide determined?

Accepted Answer

By the configuration of the asymmetric carbon farthest from the carbonyl group

Question 8

Which of the following is a correct example of a diastereomer pair?

Accepted Answer

D-Threose and L-Erythrose

Question 9

Which statement about epimers is correct?

Accepted Answer

Epimers are isomers that differ in configuration at only one specific carbon atom.

Question 10

When glucose is reduced at its carbonyl group, which compound is formed?

Accepted Answer

Sorbitol (D-glucitol)

Question 11

Which of the following is a function of glycosaminoglycans in vertebrates?

Accepted Answer

Increasing viscosity and serving as biological lubricants

Question 12

Which of the following correctly describes the structure of cellulose?

Accepted Answer

A linear homopolymer of $$\beta-$$glucose connected by $$\beta(1 \rightarrow 4)$$ linkages

Question 13

Which statement about peptidoglycan is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is a polysaccharide-peptide complex found in bacterial cell walls, composed of alternating N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid units.

Question 14

Which of the following is true about glycoproteins?

Accepted Answer

They are proteins covalently attached to oligosaccharide chains, which can be N-linked or O-linked.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct description of the glycosidic bond formation?

Accepted Answer

It is a condensation reaction between the anomeric carbon of a cyclic saccharide and the hydroxyl group of another compound, eliminating water.

Question 16

Which activated sugar is required for lactose biosynthesis in mammals?

Accepted Answer

UDP-galactose

Question 17

Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of disaccharides?

Accepted Answer

The configuration of the anomeric carbon (alpha or beta)

Question 18

Which of the following polysaccharides is primarily used for energy storage in animals?

Accepted Answer

Glycogen

Question 19

Which of the following is a homopolysaccharide found in the exoskeleton of arthropods?

Accepted Answer

Chitin

Question 20

Which of the following statements about erythropoietin (EPO) is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is a glycoprotein hormone with both O- and N-linked oligosaccharides that stimulates red blood cell production.

Monosaccharides and Carbohydrate Structure: Biochemistry Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions