AP Biology : AP Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

A fatty acid that has two double bonds between its carbon atoms is called __________.

Possible Answers:

an unsaturated fatty acid

a hydrogenated fatty acid

good cholesterol

a saturated fatty acid

Correct answer:

an unsaturated fatty acid

Explanation:

An unsaturated fatty acid has one or more double bonds in its hydrocarbon tail. These double bonds are formed by the removal of hydrogen atoms from the carbon tail, resulting in a kink in the tail. As such, they are not fully saturated with hydrogen atoms. Cholesterol is a type of lipid that contains four hydrocarbon rings in its structure. Hydrogenated fatty acids are unnatural saturated fatty acids that are modified for their physical properties.   

Example Question #32 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

Three fatty acids each joined to glycerol by an ester linkage is a __________.

Possible Answers:

cholesterol

phospholipid

triacylglycerol

steroid

Correct answer:

triacylglycerol

Explanation:

A triacylglycerol (also called commonly referred to as a fat or a triglyceride) is composed of three fatty acid chains linked to glycerol via an ester linkage. The fatty acids can be the same or two or three different types. Steroids are derived from cholesterol, a molecule that contains four hydrocarbon rings attached together. Phospholipids only have two fatty acid tails linked to a glycerol head and a phosphate group.  

Example Question #76 : Macromolecules

Which of the following is an example of a lipid?

Possible Answers:

amino acid

chitin

cellulose

triacylglycerol

Correct answer:

triacylglycerol

Explanation:

Triacylglycerol (also called a fat or triglyceride) is a type of lipid. Amino acids are the subunits that make up proteins. Chitin and cellulose are polysaccharides, or carbohydrates.

Example Question #41 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

Which of the following terns best describes a molecule that contains three fatty acid chains bonded to a glycerol molecule?

Possible Answers:

Triglyceride

None of these

Glycogen

DNA

Cellulose

Correct answer:

Triglyceride

Explanation:

Structurally speaking, a triglyceride molecule contains three fatty acid chains covalently bonded to glycerol—specifically where the hydroxyl groups are located on the glycerol molecule.

Example Question #76 : Macromolecules

A polyunsaturated lipid contains which of the following that is/are not contained in saturated lipids?

Possible Answers:

Sulfur atoms in place of carbons

A polar head group

Multiple double bonds

No double bonds

One double bond

Correct answer:

Multiple double bonds

Explanation:

The term saturated when describing a lipid means that a molecule has the maximum number of hydrogens on its carbons, it is saturated with hydrogens. An unsaturated lipid has less than the maximum amount of hydrogens bonded to its carbons because there is a double bond between two of the carbons. Lipids molecules can have one carbon to carbon double bond (mono-unsaturated) or multiple (poly-unsaturated).

Example Question #41 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

All of the following biomolecules form true polymers except __________.

Possible Answers:

nucleotides

sugars

fatty acids

amino acids

glucose

Correct answer:

fatty acids

Explanation:

Fatty acids occur as free molecules in trace amounts in living organisms. They usually occur as a component of several types of lipid molecules, and are not true monomers, even though 1-3 of them can be attached to a polar head group such as glycerol or a phosphate group. The rest of the choices listed form polymers. Amino acids form proteins, sugars such as glucose form carbohydrates, and nucleotides form both DNA and RNA.

Example Question #43 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

Which of the following statements regarding lipid molecules is true?

Possible Answers:

They must contain a phosphate group

They can be used as a source of energy

They are soluble in water

They store genetic information

They are hydrophilic

Correct answer:

They can be used as a source of energy

Explanation:

Lipids can be used as an energy source and are often used by cells to store energy for future use. Phosphate groups are not found in all lipids. For example most steroids, which are lipids, do not have phosphate groups. Lipids are hydrophobic and are repelled by water.

Example Question #41 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

Which of the following correctly describes saturated fats?

Possible Answers:

Saturated fats are usually liquid at room temperature.

In saturated fats, the carbons have double bonds between them.

In saturated fats, the carbons contain the maximum amount of hydrogens bonded to them.

Saturated fats have single bonds between nitrogen and carbon.

Correct answer:

In saturated fats, the carbons contain the maximum amount of hydrogens bonded to them.

Explanation:

In saturated fats, the carbons have single bonds between them and the maximum number of hydrogen atoms.  Saturated fats do not have nitrogen, and they are solid at room temperature.

Example Question #42 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

Which of the following is true of unsaturated fats?

Possible Answers:

Unsaturated fats have the maximum number of hydrogens bonded to the carbons.

Unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds between between carbons in the fatty acid chain.

The nitrogens are bonded to a phosphate group in a chain.

Unsaturated fats are solids at room temperature.

Correct answer:

Unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds between between carbons in the fatty acid chain.

Explanation:

Unsaturated fats have at least one double bond between two carbons in the fatty acid and do not have the maximum number of hydrogens.  They do not contain nitrogen and are usually liquid at room temperature.

Example Question #43 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

Which of the following is not a function of lipids?

Possible Answers:

Forming membranes around organelles

Signal transduction

Storing energy

Maintaining body temperature

Folding proteins

Correct answer:

Folding proteins

Explanation:

Lipids are what make up fats. Fats store energy and help insulate animals against the cold. They also form lipid bilayers that surround cells and organelles. All steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol, a lipid. Thus, lipids play a significant role in signal transduction. Folding proteins is a function left to other proteins.

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