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AP®BiologyCollege BoardExam QuestionsUnit 1: Chemistry of LifeBiological Macromolecules

Biological Macromolecules (College Board AP® Biology): Exam Questions

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1
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Proteins play a key role in many biological functions. Insulin is a protein hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Insulin is composed of chains of amino acids which are linked together by covalent bonds during its synthesis in the pancreas.

Which of the following describes the bonds that connect the monomers in insulin?

  • Monomers in insulin are connected by a peptide bond between the carboxyl ends of two amino acids.

  • Monomers in insulin are connected by a peptide bond between the carboxyl end of one amino acid and the amino group of a neighboring amino acid.

  • Monomers in insulin are connected via a peptide bond between the amino groups of two amino acids.

  • Monomers in insulin are connected via a peptide bond between the R group of one amino acid and the amino group of a neighboring amino acid.

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2
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Researchers produced a particular type of reactive molecule, known as a radical, that can interact with a protein's amino acids at a molecular level. Under certain conditions the radical molecules selectively react to break carbon-carbon bonds within an amino acid, meaning that protein editing can be achieved.

Which of the following best predicts the location at which radicals interact with proteins?

  • Radicals interact with the peptide bond of an amino acid.

  • Radicals interact with the region where the carboxyl group attaches to the rest of the amino acid.

  • Radicals interact with the region where the amino group attaches to the rest of the amino acid.

  • Radicals interact with the peptide bond of a di-peptide.

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3
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A key structural component of plant cell walls is cellulose. Bonds within cellulose allow cellulose fibers to provide rigidity and support to plant cells.

Which of the following identifies the bonds formed between monomer units during the formation of cellulose?

  • Hydrogen bonds

  • C-C covalent bonds

  • Peptide bond

  • Disulphide bridge

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41 mark

DNA and RNA molecules have structural similarities and differences related to their function.

Which of the following best describes the differences between DNA and RNA?

  • Both DNA and RNA have three components; a sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base. DNA contains deoxyribose and RNA contains ribose. RNA contains uracil and DNA contains thymine. DNA is usually single stranded while RNA is usually double stranded. The two DNA strands in double-stranded DNA are antiparallel in directionality.

  • Both DNA and RNA have two components; a sugar and a nitrogenous base. DNA contains deoxyribose and RNA contains ribose. RNA contains uracil and DNA contains thymine. DNA is usually single stranded; RNA is usually double stranded. The two DNA strands in double-stranded DNA are antiparallel in directionality.

  • Both DNA and RNA have three components; a sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base. DNA contains deoxyribose and RNA contains ribose. RNA contains uracil and DNA contains thymine. DNA is usually double stranded and RNA is usually single stranded. The two DNA strands in double-stranded DNA are antiparallel in directionality.

  • Both DNA and RNA have three components; a sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base. DNA contains oxyribose and RNA contains ribose. RNA contains uracil and DNA contains thymine. DNA is usually single stranded and RNA is usually double stranded. The two DNA strands in double-stranded DNA are antiparallel in directionality.

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51 mark

RNA and DNA are comprised of monomers called nucleotides. Nucleotides are made up of three different structures.

Which of the following correctly shows the structure of a nucleotide?

  • Chemical structure of adenine nucleotide showing a phosphate group, ribose sugar, and adenine base. Phosphate is circled and connected to ribose.
  • Chemical structure of adenosine monophosphate, featuring a nucleotide with a phosphate group, ribose sugar, and adenine base.
  • Chemical structure of adenosine monophosphate, showing adenine ring linked to a ribose sugar and phosphate group.
  • Chemical structure of adenine nucleotide, showing a phosphate group, ribose sugar, and adenine base with atomic bonds and labels.

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