Biochemistry : Biochemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #65 : Identification By Structure

Which of the following is not present on all amino acids?

Possible Answers:

All of these are present on every amino acid

Amino group

Hydrogen 

Carboxyl group

R-group

Correct answer:

All of these are present on every amino acid

Explanation:

All 20 of the amino acids have on its central carbon a hydrogen, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a distinctive R-group. These R-groups determine the properties of the amino acid and thus the polypeptide of which they are a part.

Example Question #66 : Identification By Structure

Primary protein structure is primarily held together by what type of bond?

Possible Answers:

Hydrogen bond

Phosphodiester bond

Peptide bond

Ionic bond

Van der waals interactions

Correct answer:

Peptide bond

Explanation:

Primary protein structures are composed of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.  Secondary protein structures are held together by hydrogen bonds.  Phosphodiester bonds can be found between sugar and phosphate groups in the backbone of DNA.

Example Question #331 : Biochemistry

Why is the tertiary structure of a protein always conserved, even more so than the primary structure?

Possible Answers:

Tertiary structure is more closely associated with the protein's function

The primary structure is more conserved than the tertiary structure

Tertiary structure is more closely associated with the sequence of the protein

The bonds holding the tertiary structure are stronger than those of the primary structure

The primary and tertiary structure of a protein are equally conserved

Correct answer:

Tertiary structure is more closely associated with the protein's function

Explanation:

The primary structure of a protein deals with its sequence while the tertiary structure deals with the folding of the protein. The folding of the protein is what determines its function, and because this is important in maintaining the life of organisms, the tertiary structure must be heavily conserved.

Example Question #68 : Identification By Structure

Which of these are negatively charged amino acids at pH 7?

I. Aspartic acid

II. Glutamic acid

III. Lysine 

IV. Arginine

Possible Answers:

IV only

I and II

I, II, and III

III and IV

I, III, and IV

Correct answer:

I and II

Explanation:

Amino acids are classified based on their charged (polar groups) at neutral pH (pH=7).Lysine (Lys, K), arginine (Arg, R) and histidine (His, H) are positively charged at neutral ph (pH=7), while aspartate and glutamate are negatively charged.

Example Question #332 : Biochemistry

Identify the nucleobase. 

Guanine

Possible Answers:

Cytosine

Guanine

Adenine

Thymine

Uracil

Correct answer:

Guanine

Explanation:

The structure represents guanine because of the characteristic carbonyl group at carbon 6 and amine group and carbon 2.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

Identify the nucleobase. 

Adenine

Possible Answers:

Uracil

Cytosine

Thymine

Guanine

Adenine

Correct answer:

Adenine

Explanation:

The structure is adenine because of the characteristic amine group on carbon 6 and lack of any other substituents.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

Identify the nucleobase.

Thymine

Possible Answers:

Thymine

Guanine

Adenine

Uracil

Cytosine

Correct answer:

Thymine

Explanation:

The structure represent thymine because of the characteristic carbonyl groups at both carbons 2 and 4 and the methyl group at carbon 5.

Example Question #333 : Biochemistry

Identify the nucleobase.

Uracil

Possible Answers:

Uracil

Guanine

Cytosine

Adenine

Thymine

Correct answer:

Uracil

Explanation:

The structure represents uracil because of the carbonyl groups attached to both carbons 2 and 4 and the lack of any other substituents.

Example Question #4 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

Identify the nucleobase. 

Cytosine

Possible Answers:

Cytosine

Adenine

Guanine

Uracil

Thymine

Correct answer:

Cytosine

Explanation:

The structure represents cytosine because of the characteristic amine group on carbon 4, instead of the carbonyl group that is present on carbon 4 of both thymine and uracil.

Example Question #334 : Biochemistry

Which of the following are considered pyrimidines?

I: adenine

II: thymine

III: cytosine

IV: guanine

Possible Answers:

II and III

III and IV

I and IV

I and II

I and III

Correct answer:

II and III

Explanation:

Pyrimidines are nitrogenous bases with 1 ring structure, whereas purines are nitrogenous bases with 2 ring structures. Cytosine and thymine are pyrimidines since they both have one ring structure, whereas adenine and guanine are purines with two connected ring structures. (Note: in RNA, uracil would be considered a pyrimidine in the place of thymine.) One way to help you remember which bases belong to which chemical groups, remember that pyrimidines, like pyramids are sharp, and sharp things CUT - Cytosine, Uracil, and Thymine.

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