Biochemistry : Macromolecule Fundamentals

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #17 : Nucleic Acids: Dna And Rna

Despite vastly similar structures, DNA and RNA have very different stabilities. Which of the following choices accurately describes the difference in stability between DNA and RNA?

Possible Answers:

DNA is more stable than RNA because DNA must maintain genetic information for a longer period of time

RNA is more stable than DNA because RNA must maintain genetic information for a longer period of time

DNA is more stable than RNA because DNA contains the base thymine, while RNA contains the base uracil

DNA and RNA are both nucleic acids, and thus have the same stability

RNA is more stable than DNA because RNA contains the base uracil, while DNA contains the base thymine

Correct answer:

DNA is more stable than RNA because DNA must maintain genetic information for a longer period of time

Explanation:

It is true that DNA is more stable than RNA. While the exact chemical reasons for this are complex, it is useful to know RNA is readily hydrolyzed in basic conditions. In order to make sense of this, remember that DNA acts as the genetic code, and must hold that genetic information for relatively long periods of time. While there are several types of RNA, it typically acts as a messenger, and is degraded after completing its task. While DNA does contain the base thymine and RNA does contain uracil, this is unrelated to the relative stabilities of the two nucleic acids. 

Example Question #18 : Nucleic Acids: Dna And Rna

Which answer choice correctly identifies the location of bases and sugar-phosphate chains in a DNA double helix?

Possible Answers:

The sugar-phosphate chains are at the core of the DNA, while the bases are on the outside.

Both the bases and the sugar-phosphate chains are located at the core of the DNA.

Both the bases and the sugar-phosphate chains are located on the outside of the DNA.

None of these

The bases are at the core of the DNA, while the sugar-phosphate chains are on the outside.

Correct answer:

The bases are at the core of the DNA, while the sugar-phosphate chains are on the outside.

Explanation:

While it could be useful to know that the bases are at the core of the DNA while the sugar-phosphate chains are on the outside, it is possible to answer the question without having memorized that fact. The bases (thymine, cytosine, guanine, adenine) are non-polar, and will cluster in the middle of the chain, away from water. They also connect to each other via hydrogen bonding. On the other hand, the sugar-phosphate groups are hydrophilic, and will cluster towards the outside of the molecule.

Example Question #19 : Nucleic Acids: Dna And Rna

If a sample of DNA contains 15% guanine, what percentage of the DNA base pairs are pyrimidines?

Possible Answers:

30%

50%

70%

60%

Correct answer:

50%

Explanation:

All DNA contains 50% purines and 50% pyrimidines due to Watson-Crick base pairing.

However, doing the calculations based on the information given can also give the correct answer. Adenine (A) and guanine (G) are purines. Cytosine (C) and thymine (T) are pyrimidines. Chargaff's rules state that in DNA, G = C and A = T. If the sample is 15% G, then it must also be 15% C. This leaves 70% for A and T, or 35% each. 15% C +  35% T = 50% pyrimidines. 

Example Question #84 : Macromolecule Fundamentals

If a sample of DNA contains 35% cytosine, what percentage of the DNA base pairs are thymine?

Possible Answers:

20%

30%

35%

15%

Correct answer:

15%

Explanation:

Chargaff's rules state that guanine (G) = cytosine (C) and adenine (A) = thymine (T). Therefore, since the sample contains 35% C, it must also contain 35% G. 100% - 70% (G + C) leaves 30% left for A and T, or 15% T.

Example Question #21 : Nucleic Acids: Dna And Rna

What is the role of the 5’ to 3’ exonuclease activity in DNA replication?

Possible Answers:

It separates the strands to allow access of DNA polymerase.

It synthesizes the primers for the leading strand.

It chews up RNA primers on the lagging strand.

It joins together the Okazaki fragments.

Correct answer:

It chews up RNA primers on the lagging strand.

Explanation:

The lagging strand is made up of Okazaki fragments due to discontinuous replication. Each of the fragments has its own primer made from RNA that needs to be removed and replaced with dNTPs. The exonuclease performs this function. A ligase comes through immediately after the exonuclease and joins the fragments together. Helicase is the enzyme that separates the DNA strands.

Example Question #22 : Nucleic Acids: Dna And Rna

Which statement best describes the role of hydrogen bonds between bases in a double-stranded DNA molecule?

Possible Answers:

Hydrogen bonding is important for both the energetic stability of the DNA and is also important for the specificity of base pairing.

Hydrogen bonding contributes little to the energetic stability of the DNA but is important for the specificity of base pairing.

Hydrogen bonding is important for the energetic stability of the DNA but contributes little to the specificity of base pairing.

Hydrogen bonding determines the melting temperature (Tm) of the DNA molecule.

Correct answer:

Hydrogen bonding contributes little to the energetic stability of the DNA but is important for the specificity of base pairing.

Explanation:

Hydrogen bonds contribute solely to the base specificity of nucleic acids. Guanine and cytosine share three hydrogen bonds, while adenine and thymine share two. Incorrect base pairing will not have very favorable binding because hydrogen atoms and eletronegative atoms aren't lined up properly. The stability of DNA comes from favorable stacking interactions and hydrostatic effects of the hydrophobic bases and hydrophylic backbone.

Example Question #23 : Nucleic Acids: Dna And Rna

Which of the following is not a difference between DNA and RNA?

Possible Answers:

DNA is always double-stranded and RNA is always single-stranded.

Adenine binds to thymine in DNA and uracil in RNA.

RNA frequently performs enzymatic activity in cells, while DNA does not.

DNA is generally more stable than RNA.

RNA has an extra hydroxide group on its sugar that is absent in DNA.

Correct answer:

DNA is always double-stranded and RNA is always single-stranded.

Explanation:

The correct answer is "DNA is always double-stranded and RNA is always single-stranded." While this is usually true, there are viruses that have single-stranded DNA and double-stranded RNA. All other answers are true. There is no thymine in RNA, so adenine binds to uracil instead. The ribose sugar on RNA has a hydroxide group not found on the deoxyribose sugar of DNA. This extra group makes RNA more reactive and less stable than DNA. RNA is frequently used by cells for its enzymatic activity in the form of ribosomes, while DNA is used only as a storage of information.

Example Question #1 : Monosaccharides And Carbohydrates

Compared to a molecule of galactose, a molecule of glucose has __________ number of hydrogen atoms and __________ number of oxygen atoms. 

Possible Answers:

the same . . . the same

a greater . . . the same

a greater . . . a greater

the same . . . a greater

Correct answer:

the same . . . the same

Explanation:

Galactose and glucose are both 6-carbon monosaccharides. They are classified as structural isomers. This means that they have the same molecular formula, but different structural orientations. The molecular formula of a generic monosaccharide with  carbons is ; therefore, the molecular formula for both glucose and galactose is . They have the same number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

The chemical structures of glucose and galactose differ in the C4 atom. The hydroxyl group is oriented differently at this position, altering the stereochemistry at C4. All other carbon atoms in glucose and galactose have the same stereochemistry. This means that glucose and galactose are a special type of structural isomer called epimers.

Example Question #81 : Macromolecule Fundamentals

Disaccharidases are enzymes found in the small intestine that participate in degradation of disaccharides. Which of the following molecules can be broken down by these enzymes?

I. Fructose

II. Sucrose

III. Starch

Possible Answers:

II only

I only

II and III

I and III

Correct answer:

II only

Explanation:

Sucrose is a disaccharide that is made up of a glucose and a fructose molecule, bound by a glycosidic linkage. A disaccahridase, called sucrase, breaks down sucrose molecules into their component monosaccharides (glucose and fructose), which can then by absorbed by the enterocytes in the small intestine.

Fructose is a monosaccharide that can be directly absorbed by enterocytes. Starch is a complex carbohydrate (polysaccharide) with many glucose molecules attached via glycosidic bonds. 

Example Question #3 : Monosaccharides And Carbohydrates

Which of the following is true regarding the polysaccharides glycogen and cellulose? 

Possible Answers:

Only glycogen molecules have branching regions

Both molecules involve a glycosidic bond between the 1-carbon and the 6-carbon

Cellulose can be found as either amylose or amylopectin

Humans can digest glycogen because it has beta glycosidic bonds

Correct answer:

Only glycogen molecules have branching regions

Explanation:

Just like starch, glycogen and cellulose are complex carbohydrates that contain glucose molecules joined via glycosidic bonds. Both carbohydrates contain (1,4) glycosidic bonds. This means that the bond occurs between the 1-carbon of one glucose and the 4-carbon of the other glucose. Glycogen contains -(1,4) glycosidic bonds whereas cellulose contains -(1,4) bonds.

In addition, glycogen molecules contain -(1,6 ) glycosidic bonds. These bonds are typically found in branch points along the main chain of glucose molecules. Cellulose molecules do not have branching and, therefore, do not have -(1,6) glycosidic bonds.

As mentioned, glycogen contains  bonds. Humans have enzymes capable of digesting complex carbohydrates with  linkages; therefore, only glycogen and starch (which also has  linkages) can be digested by humans. Amylin and amylopectin are forms of starch, not cellulose. 

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