AP Biology : Macromolecules

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #2526 : Ap Biology

The unique sequence of amino acids in a protein is its __________.

Possible Answers:

tertiary structure

secondary structure

primary structure

quaternary structure

Correct answer:

primary structure

Explanation:

The primary structure of a protein is its amino acid sequence. The coils and folds of a protein are its secondary structure. Irregular contortions in the protein structure due to interactions between amino acid side chains is the tertiary structure. The overall structure when two or more polypeptides aggregated is the quaternary structure.  

Example Question #2527 : Ap Biology

The unique three-dimensional shape of a protein is called its __________.

Possible Answers:

molecular weight

primary structure

peptide configuration

conformation

sequence

Correct answer:

conformation

Explanation:

Conformation is the the term for the three dimensional structure of proteins. Though the types of proteins are incredibly diverse they are all polymers made up of the same set of 20 amino acids. A protein's molecular weight involves the sum of all the atoms and their abundances, molecular weight is often used to approximate the size of a protein when determining if it will pass through a pore or channel in a membrane. The amino acid sequence is the primary structure, and is held together by peptide bonds.

Example Question #111 : Macromolecules

Disulfide bonds may be formed in a protein's __________.

Possible Answers:

Two of these.

quaternary structure

secondary structure

tertiary structure

Correct answer:

Two of these.

Explanation:

Disulfide bonds may be formed in both tertiary and/or quaternary structures of a protein. These bonds result from the oxidation of the R-group (side chain) of the amino acid cysteine.

Example Question #111 : Macromolecules

Which of the following protein structures is determined by its amino acid sequence?

Possible Answers:

Secondary structure

Tertiary structure

Primary structure

Quaternary structure

None of these

Correct answer:

Primary structure

Explanation:

The linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain gives rise to the protein's primary structure.

Example Question #2532 : Ap Biology

At which level of protein structure does the formation of disulfide bridges occur?

Possible Answers:

Tertiary structure

Quaternary structure

Secondary structure

Primary structure

Two of these

Correct answer:

Two of these

Explanation:

The formation of disulfide bridge occurs in the tertiary and/or quaternary level of protein structure. This involves two sulfur atoms sharing a lone pair of electrons to form a covalent bond, which enhances the integrity of the protein's structure. The amino acid that is involved in forming disulfide bridges is cysteine.

Example Question #81 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

Which of the following is true of proteins?

Possible Answers:

Proteins are made up of glycerol and fatty acid chains.

Proteins are made up of nucleotides.

Proteins consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Proteins are polymers of molecules called amino acids.

Correct answer:

Proteins are polymers of molecules called amino acids.

Explanation:

Proteins consist of the elements nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.  They are polymers of molecules called amino acids.  Lipids are made up of glycerol and fatty acid chains.

Example Question #82 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

What is the part of an amino acid that makes it different compared to other amino acids?

Possible Answers:

Amino group

The side chain called the R-group.

glycerol

Carboxyl group

Correct answer:

The side chain called the R-group.

Explanation:

All amino acids have an amino group and a carboxyl group.  Amino acids do not have glycerol.  The side chain called an R-group is what differentiates amino acids from each other in their chemical properties and functions.

Example Question #83 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

Which two protein structure takes advantage of hydrogen bonding, ionic bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and van der Waals interactions?

Possible Answers:

Primary Structure and Secondary Structure

Quaternary Structure and Tertiary Structure

Primary Structure and Quaternary Structure 

Tertiary Structure and Primary Structure

Secondary Structure and Tertiary Structure

Correct answer:

Quaternary Structure and Tertiary Structure

Explanation:

Primary structure takes advantage of covalent bonding to form a peptide bond between amino acids. Secondary structure takes advantage of hydrogen bonding to form alpha helices and beta-pleated sheets. The tertiary structure takes advantage of all these forms of bonding and interactions to fold into the overall shape of the protein and the quaternary structure is formed by using these interactions to connect multiple polypeptides.

Example Question #112 : Macromolecules

Which of the following is not a possible function of a protein?

Possible Answers:

Transporting molecules into or out of a cell

Aid in intercellular communication

Maintaining cell structure

Storing energy for the body

Catalyzing biochemical reactions

Correct answer:

Storing energy for the body

Explanation:

Proteins preform multiple functions in the body. Carrier proteins move molecules from place to place. Sometimes the molecules they carry relay signals between cells. Proteins can bind to substrates to bring the ingredients of key reactions together, catalyzing those reactions. Certain proteins integrate into cell membranes providing structural elements. Fatty acids store energy, while proteins do not. They lack the highly reduced carbon-hydrogen bonds of fatty acids. 

Example Question #85 : Identify Structure And Purpose Of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids

Two substrates both bind to an enzyme's active site, but only one can bind at a time. One substrate causes the enzyme to catalyze a reaction. The other substrate doesn't trigger a reaction. What kind of inhibition is this?

Possible Answers:

Noncompetitive inhibition

Negative feedback

Feedback inhibition

Allosteric inhibition

Competitive inhibition

Correct answer:

Competitive inhibition

Explanation:

When two substrates compete for the same active site on an enzyme, it is competitive inhibition. Allosteric inhibition occurs when a substrate binds to another part of the enzyme away from the active site. Noncompetitive inhibition is another name for this. Feedback inhibition is a specific situation when the product of a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme comes back to change its function.

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