AP Biology : Macromolecules

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

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

An important trait that all lipids share is __________.

Possible Answers:

acidity

hydrophilicity

solubility

basicity

hydrophobicity

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 #2479 : Ap Biology

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

Possible Answers:

Oils

Glycogen

Phospholipids

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 #2480 : Ap Biology

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

Possible Answers:

Testosterone

Triglycerides

Fructose

Waxes

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.   

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

Chitin is what class of molecule?

Possible Answers:

Nucleic acid

Wax

Lipid

Carbohydrate

Correct answer:

Carbohydrate

Explanation:

Chitin is a carbohydrate. Specifically, it is a polysaccharide used by arthopods to build exoskeletons, and is found in the cell walls of fungi. Waxes are types of lipids, and nucleic acids are DNA and RNA.   

Example Question #2482 : Ap Biology

Starch belongs to which class of macromolecules?

Possible Answers:

Carbohydrates

Nucleic acids

Lipids

Polypeptides

Correct answer:

Carbohydrates

Explanation:

Starch is a carbohydrate. Specifically, it is a polysaccharide carbohydrate used in plants. The enzyme amylase breaks down starch in the mouth and small intestine, where it can is absorbed as monosaccharides and disaccharides.

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

Which of the following is an example of a lipid?

Possible Answers:

Cholesterol

Amino acid

Disaccharide

Cellulose

Correct answer:

Cholesterol

Explanation:

Cholesterol is a type of steroid, which is a lipid. Amino acids are part of proteins. Cellulose and disaccharides are examples of carbohydrates.

Example Question #2481 : Ap Biology

Which of the following includes all the other answer choices?

Possible Answers:

Fats

Phospholipids

Waxes

Lipids

Correct answer:

Lipids

Explanation:

Lipids are a large class of hydrocarbon-based molecules that includes waxes, steroids, phospholipids and fats. Lipids are hydrophobic and have functions in energy storage, providing support to the cell/organism, cell signaling, and make up the majority of the cell membrane. 

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

A lipid that consists of a long chain of hydrocarbons with the maximum number of hydrogens possible is referred to as __________.

Possible Answers:

a saturated fatty acid

a triglyceride

a vitamin

a steroid

Correct answer:

a saturated fatty acid

Explanation:

Saturated fatty acids contain the maximum number of hydrogens on their hydrocarbon tails. These molecules form long, straight chains that can be very densely packed. By contrast, unsaturated fatty acids, do not contain the maximum number of hydrogens on their hydrocarbon tails, and thus have "kinks" in their tails. This does not allow for dense packing and storage of unsaturated fatty acids, and thus make them easier to burn.

Example Question #2481 : Ap Biology

Hemoglobin is an example of a __________.

Possible Answers:

protein

phospholipid

steroid

nucleic acid

Correct answer:

protein

Explanation:

Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that binds and transports oxygen to the body tissues. It contains an iron core, and each hemoglobin molecule can bind up to four oxygen molecules.

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

If a phospholipid's phosphate group is replaced with another fatty acid chain, the result is a __________.

Possible Answers:

steroid

fat (triglyceride)

wax

saturated fatty acid

Correct answer:

fat (triglyceride)

Explanation:

A phospholipid has two fatty acid chains and a phosphate group attached to glycerol. By replacing the phosphate group of a phospholipid with another fatty acid, the result is a glycerol with three fatty acid chains which makes it a fat (triglyceride). Saturated fatty acids are single chains of fatty acids, the resulting molecule has three fatty acids, which each could be saturated or unsaturated. Steroids have structures that consist of four fused carbon rings. 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors