AP Biology : AP Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #81 : Biochemical Concepts

A lipid that consists of two fatty acids and a phosphate group linked to glycerol is a __________.

Possible Answers:

steroid

monoglyceride

phospholipid

carbohydrate

Correct answer:

phospholipid

Explanation:

A phospholipid has two fatty acid tails, which consist of hydrocarbons with even numbers of carbons ranging from 4 to 28, and a phosphate group attached to a glycerol head, which is hydrophilic. Monoglycerides contain only one fatty acid chain bound to a glycerol head, and triglycerides contain three fatty acid chains. 

Example Question #82 : Biochemical Concepts

What is the resulting molecule if a triacylglycerol has one of its fatty acid chains replaced with a phosphate group?

Possible Answers:

Steroid

Saturated fatty acid

Phospholipid

Diglyceride

Correct answer:

Phospholipid

Explanation:

A fat (triglyceride/triacylglycerol) consists of three fatty acids linked to glycerol. A phospholipid consists of two fatty acids and a phosphate group linked to glycerol. Thus removing a fatty acid from a triglyceride and replacing it with a phosphate group will yield a phospholipid. Diglycerides contain similar structures to triglycerides, but only have two fatty acid chains bound to the glycerol head. Steroids are lipids, but do not contain fatty acids. Rather they contain four hydrocarbon rings, and they are all derived from cholesterol. The saturation of a fatty acid refers to the presence of hydrogens anywhere they can potentially be present. A saturated fatty acid is said to be saturated with hydrogens.

Example Question #21 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

The tails of phospholipids are __________.

Possible Answers:

hydrophobic

polar

lipophilic

hydrophilic

Correct answer:

hydrophobic

Explanation:

The tails of phospholipids consist of hydrocarbons only. Thus they are nonpolar, hydrophobic, lipophilic and fat-soluble.  

Example Question #83 : Biochemical Concepts

In a cell membrane, the tails of the phospholipids point towards __________.

Possible Answers:

either the interior or the exterior of the membrane, depending on the type of cell membrane

The exterior of the membrane, away from water

the interior of the membrane, away from water

the exterior of the membrane, towards water

Correct answer:

the interior of the membrane, away from water

Explanation:

The tails of phospholipids are hydrocarbons and are thus hydrophobic so they point towards the interior of the membrane to avoid contact with the aqueous solutions of the cytoplasm and the extracellular fluid.  

Example Question #84 : Biochemical Concepts

A given molecule has a structure containing a carbon skeleton of four fused rings. Which of the following is it most likely to be?

Possible Answers:

Phospholipid

Cholesterol

Fatty acid

Fat

Correct answer:

Cholesterol

Explanation:

Cholesterol is class of lipids known as steroids. All steroids have four fused carbon rings in their structures. Fats, fatty acids and phospholipid do not contain any ring structures. Fatty acids are components of both fats and phospholipids and are long chains of hydrocarbons. Phospholipids contain two fatty acids attached to a polar head and a phosphate group.

Example Question #85 : Biochemical Concepts

In a cell membrane, the heads of the phospholipids point toward __________.

Possible Answers:

the exterior of the membrane, facing water

the interior of the membrane, away from water

Cannot be determined without knowing the type of cell membrane

None of these; it varies randomly throughout the membrane.

Correct answer:

the exterior of the membrane, facing water

Explanation:

The heads of phospholipids are hydrophilic and so they will face the exterior of the cell membrane in order to interact with the aqueous environments of the extracellular fluid and the cytosol. The hydrophobic tails will face the interior of the membrane to avoid water contact.

Example Question #23 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

Lipids consist mostly of __________.

Possible Answers:

oxygen

glycogen

hydrocarbons

amino acids

Correct answer:

hydrocarbons

Explanation:

Lipids are mostly made up of hydrocarbons, which makes them nonpolar and thus, hydrophobic. Glycogen is a type of carbohydrate; it is the storage form of glucose in animals. Amino acids are the monomeric units of polypeptides.  

Example Question #22 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

An important trait that all lipids share is __________.

Possible Answers:

hydrophilicity

basicity

hydrophobicity

solubility

acidity

Correct answer:

hydrophobicity

Explanation:

Because lipids are made mostly of hydrocarbons, they are nonpolar and thus hydrophobic, which means they avoid contact with water. The root "hydro" refers to water and the root "phobic" refers to fear. Hence hydrophobic means "water fearing". Hydrophilic on the other hand means "water loving" and is used to describe polar molecules.    

Example Question #23 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

Which of the following is not an example of lipid(s)?

Possible Answers:

Phospholipids

Glycogen

Oils

Fatty acids

Correct answer:

Glycogen

Explanation:

Glycogen is a carbohydrate. It is a polysaccharide that animals use to store glucose when sugars are needed by the body for fuel. All other answer choices are lipids.

Example Question #61 : Macromolecules

Which of the following is not an example of lipid(s)?

Possible Answers:

Fructose

Waxes

Triglycerides

Testosterone

Correct answer:

Fructose

Explanation:

Monosaccharides such as fructose are carbohydrates not lipids. Waxes, steroid hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone, and triglycerides (fats) are composed mainly of hydrocarbons and are classified as lipids.   

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