Question 1

Raft spiders can walk on water due to hydrophobic hairs on their bodies. Which emergent property of water is most directly responsible for this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Surface tension

Question 2

If the hydrophobic hairs on a raft spider were replaced with hydrophilic hairs, what would most likely happen?

Accepted Answer

The spider would sink because water would adhere to its body

Question 3

At the atomic level, which type of bond is primarily responsible for water's high surface tension?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds between water molecules

Question 4

Why is carbon uniquely suited to serve as the backbone of biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

Carbon can form up to four stable covalent bonds, allowing for diverse molecular structures

Question 5

Which property of carbon enables the formation of isomers, contributing to molecular diversity?

Accepted Answer

Its ability to bond with four different atoms or groups, creating asymmetric carbons

Question 6

Which type of isomerism is responsible for the difference in biological activity between the two forms of the drug thalidomide?

Accepted Answer

Enantiomerism (chirality)

Question 7

Which functional group is found in both amino acids and proteins, and is essential for peptide bond formation?

Accepted Answer

Both carboxyl ($$-COOH) $$and amino ($$-NH_2$) groups

Question 8

Which process joins monomers to form polymers in biological macromolecules?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration synthesis

Question 9

Starch and cellulose are both polymers of glucose. What is the key structural difference between them?

Accepted Answer

Starch has $$\alpha-1$$,4 glycosidic linkages; cellulose has $$\beta-1$$,4 glycosidic linkages

Question 10

Why does a cotton towel (made of cellulose) absorb water well, while a starch towel would not?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose forms extensive hydrogen bonds with water due to its $$\beta-$$glucose orientation, while starch does not

Question 11

Which level(s) of protein structure involve hydrogen bonding between backbone atoms?

Accepted Answer

Secondary structure only

Question 12

A mutation changes a single amino acid in the primary structure of a protein. Which levels of structure could be affected?

Accepted Answer

Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures

Question 13

Which type of bond is formed during the polymerization of nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Phosphodiester bond

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

A glycerol backbone, two fatty acid tails, and a phosphate group

Question 15

Which property of phospholipids is critical for the formation of biological membranes?

Accepted Answer

Amphipathic nature (having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions)

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a function of carbohydrates in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Catalyzing chemical reactions

Question 17

Which of the following statements about protein denaturation is correct?

Accepted Answer

Denaturation disrupts secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures but not primary structure

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why enzymes are highly specific in their function?

Accepted Answer

The unique three-dimensional shape of the protein allows it to recognize and bind specific substrates

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct description of a dehydration synthesis reaction?

Accepted Answer

A reaction that joins monomers to form polymers by removing water

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the difference between starch and glycogen?

Accepted Answer

Starch is found in plants and is less branched than glycogen, which is found in animals

Cell and Molecular Biology: Organic Chemistry & Biomolecules Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards