BIO 1050 CHPT 3 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE 2026
Explain why carbon is unparalleled in its ability to form large, diverse molecules. - Answers A
carbon atom has four electrons in a valence that holds eight. Carbon completes its outer shell
by sharing electrons with other atoms in four covalent bonds (satisfies the octet rule)
Define organic compounds, hydrocarbons, a carbon skeleton, and an isomer. - Answers Organic
compounds: carbon-based molecules. Usually containing hydrogen atoms
Hydrocarbons: compounds composed of only carbon and hydrogen
Carbon skeleton: A carbon skeleton is a chain of carbon atoms that can differ in length and be
straight, branched, or arranged in rings.
Isomers: compounds with the same formula but different structural arrangements iso: similar
mers: parts
Describe the properties of and distinguish between the six chemical groups important in the
chemistry of life - Answers •The first five groups are called functional groups; they affect a
molecule's function in a characteristic way.
•These five groups are polar, so compounds containing them are typically hydrophilic (water-
loving) and soluble in water.
•A sixth group, a methyl group, consists of a carbon bonded to three hydrogen atoms,
•is nonpolar and not reactive, but
•still affects molecular shape and thus function.
List the four main classes of macromolecules important to life. Explain the relationship between
monomers and polymers. Compare the processes of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis. -
Answers 1.carbohydrates,
2.lipids,
3.proteins, and
4.nucleic acids.
Monomers are the smaller part of the macromolecules (polymers=many chained together).
•Monomers are linked together to form polymers through dehydration reactions, which remove
water.
, •Polymers are broken apart by hydrolysis, the addition of water.
•These reactions are mediated by enzymes, specialized macromolecules that speed up chemical
reactions in cells.
Describe the structures, functions, properties, and types of carbohydrate molecules common in
the human diet. - Answers Carbohydrates range from small sugar molecules (monomers) to
large polysaccharides.
•Sugar monomers are monosaccharides, such as those found in :fructose,glucose, and honey.
•The carbon skeletons of monosaccharides vary in length.
•Glucose and fructose are six carbons long. (Others have three to seven carbon atoms.)
•Monosaccharides are the main fuels for cellular work and
•used as raw materials to manufacture other organic molecules.
•Two monosaccharides (monomers) can bond to form a disaccharide in a dehydration reaction.
•The disaccharide sucrose is formed by combining
•a glucose monomer and
•a fructose monomer.
•The disaccharide maltose is formed from two glucose monomers.
Explain how and why high-fructose corn syrup is produced. - Answers HFCS is when glucose is
rearranged to form sweeter isomer, fructose. It is produced for the sweetening of many
processed beverages
Describe the structures, functions, properties, and types of lipid molecules. - Answers •Lipids
are water insoluble (hydrophobic, or water-fearing) compounds,
•are important in long-term energy storage,
•contain twice as much energy as a polysaccharide, and
•consist mainly of carbon and hydrogen atoms linked by nonpolar covalent bonds.
•not huge molecules and
•not built from monomers.
Explain why carbon is unparalleled in its ability to form large, diverse molecules. - Answers A
carbon atom has four electrons in a valence that holds eight. Carbon completes its outer shell
by sharing electrons with other atoms in four covalent bonds (satisfies the octet rule)
Define organic compounds, hydrocarbons, a carbon skeleton, and an isomer. - Answers Organic
compounds: carbon-based molecules. Usually containing hydrogen atoms
Hydrocarbons: compounds composed of only carbon and hydrogen
Carbon skeleton: A carbon skeleton is a chain of carbon atoms that can differ in length and be
straight, branched, or arranged in rings.
Isomers: compounds with the same formula but different structural arrangements iso: similar
mers: parts
Describe the properties of and distinguish between the six chemical groups important in the
chemistry of life - Answers •The first five groups are called functional groups; they affect a
molecule's function in a characteristic way.
•These five groups are polar, so compounds containing them are typically hydrophilic (water-
loving) and soluble in water.
•A sixth group, a methyl group, consists of a carbon bonded to three hydrogen atoms,
•is nonpolar and not reactive, but
•still affects molecular shape and thus function.
List the four main classes of macromolecules important to life. Explain the relationship between
monomers and polymers. Compare the processes of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis. -
Answers 1.carbohydrates,
2.lipids,
3.proteins, and
4.nucleic acids.
Monomers are the smaller part of the macromolecules (polymers=many chained together).
•Monomers are linked together to form polymers through dehydration reactions, which remove
water.
, •Polymers are broken apart by hydrolysis, the addition of water.
•These reactions are mediated by enzymes, specialized macromolecules that speed up chemical
reactions in cells.
Describe the structures, functions, properties, and types of carbohydrate molecules common in
the human diet. - Answers Carbohydrates range from small sugar molecules (monomers) to
large polysaccharides.
•Sugar monomers are monosaccharides, such as those found in :fructose,glucose, and honey.
•The carbon skeletons of monosaccharides vary in length.
•Glucose and fructose are six carbons long. (Others have three to seven carbon atoms.)
•Monosaccharides are the main fuels for cellular work and
•used as raw materials to manufacture other organic molecules.
•Two monosaccharides (monomers) can bond to form a disaccharide in a dehydration reaction.
•The disaccharide sucrose is formed by combining
•a glucose monomer and
•a fructose monomer.
•The disaccharide maltose is formed from two glucose monomers.
Explain how and why high-fructose corn syrup is produced. - Answers HFCS is when glucose is
rearranged to form sweeter isomer, fructose. It is produced for the sweetening of many
processed beverages
Describe the structures, functions, properties, and types of lipid molecules. - Answers •Lipids
are water insoluble (hydrophobic, or water-fearing) compounds,
•are important in long-term energy storage,
•contain twice as much energy as a polysaccharide, and
•consist mainly of carbon and hydrogen atoms linked by nonpolar covalent bonds.
•not huge molecules and
•not built from monomers.
