Here’s a 25-item multiple-choice quiz based on analytical and critical thinking questions related
to the “Foundations of Biochemistry” document:
Multiple-Choice Quiz on Foundations of Biochemistry
(Choose the best answer for each question.)
The Science of Biochemistry
1. Why is biochemistry considered an interdisciplinary science?
a) It focuses solely on chemical reactions in the body
b) It integrates concepts from multiple sciences such as genetics, microbiology, and organic
chemistry
c) It only studies metabolic processes
d) It does not involve interactions with other scientific fields
2. Which of the following best explains why living organisms obey physical and
chemical laws, despite being complex?
a) They function independently from nonliving matter
b) They follow biological laws exclusive to living things
c) They are composed of inanimate molecules governed by universal chemical principles
d) Their biochemical processes defy known physical laws
3. What distinguishes metabolism from structural biochemistry?
a) Metabolism studies only carbohydrate breakdown, while structural biochemistry studies all
molecules
b) Metabolism focuses on chemical reactions in the body, while structural biochemistry focuses
on molecular arrangement and function
c) Structural biochemistry only applies to non-living matter
d) Metabolism deals with genetics, whereas structural biochemistry does not
Distinguishing Features of Living Organisms
4. A scientist discovers a microorganism that lacks a nucleus but can replicate itself
efficiently. Based on biochemical classifications, this organism is most likely:
a) A eukaryotic cell
b) A virus
c) A prokaryotic cell
d) A fungal cell
5. What property of living organisms contradicts the natural tendency of matter to
move toward disorder (entropy)?
a) The ability to reproduce independently
b) The capability of self-replication and maintaining internal organization
c) The tendency to evolve
d) The ability to exchange gases with the environment
6. Which of the following is a critical factor in the evolutionary change of living
organisms?
a) The ability to sense and adapt to environmental changes
b) The ability to break down molecules for energy
c) The structural complexity of biomolecules
d) The presence of carbon in all living things
Chemical Foundations of Biochemistry
7. Why do most biomolecules contain elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen,
and nitrogen?
a) These elements form the weakest bonds, making reactions easier
b) They are the only elements present in nature
c) They form strong, stable covalent bonds necessary for life
d) They do not participate in oxidation-reduction reactions
8. Which of the following disproved the theory of vitalism?
a) The discovery of enzymes in living organisms
b) The synthesis of urea from an inorganic compound by Friedrich Wöhler
c) The isolation of DNA as the genetic material
d) The identification of lipids as major biomolecules
9. Which of the following functional groups would most likely increase the solubility
of a biomolecule in water?
a) Hydroxyl (-OH)
b) Methyl (-CH3)
c) Phenyl (-C6H5)
d) Alkyl (-CnH2n+1)
Chemical Evolution and the Origin of Biomolecules
10. What was the significance of the Miller-Urey experiment in understanding the
origin of life?
a) It proved that proteins could spontaneously form in early Earth conditions
b) It demonstrated that organic molecules could be synthesized under prebiotic conditions
c) It confirmed that DNA was the first biomolecule to evolve
d) It disproved the role of amino acids in prebiotic chemistry
11. What key factor in Earth’s early environment was necessary for the formation of
biomolecules?
a) A highly oxidizing atmosphere
b) The presence of oxygen to stabilize chemical reactions
c) A reducing atmosphere with methane, ammonia, and hydrogen
d) The constant presence of cellular life
Biomolecules and Molecular Organization of Life
12. Why are lipids considered different from other biomolecules?
a) They are not made of carbon and hydrogen
b) They do not form polymers like carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids
c) They do not play any role in biological membranes
d) They are soluble in water
13. Which biomolecule primarily functions in information storage and transmission?
a) Proteins
b) Carbohydrates
c) Lipids
d) Nucleic acids
14. What would happen if a cell lost its ability to perform condensation reactions?
a) It would no longer be able to break down molecules for energy
b) It would be unable to synthesize macromolecules like proteins and DNA
c) It would accumulate too many water molecules
d) It would stop all metabolic processes
15. What makes carbohydrates particularly suited for energy storage?
a) They contain high-energy peptide bonds
b) Their glycosidic bonds store and release energy efficiently
c) They have hydrophobic properties
d) They contain nitrogen, which makes them chemically stable
Cellular Foundations
16. How do prokaryotic cells differ from eukaryotic cells?
a) Prokaryotic cells have mitochondria, while eukaryotic cells do not
b) Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have them
c) Prokaryotic cells contain a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells do not
d) Prokaryotic cells have larger genomes than eukaryotic cells
17. Why is the plasma membrane considered selectively permeable?
a) It allows all substances to enter and exit freely
b) It allows only polar molecules to pass through
c) It controls the passage of substances based on size, charge, and solubility
d) It has rigid structures that prevent any transport
18. Which of the following best explains why ribosomes are found in both prokaryotic
and eukaryotic cells?
a) They are used to break down toxins
b) They are necessary for synthesizing proteins, which all cells need
c) They help in cell movement
d) They store genetic information
19. If a cell’s lysosomes were damaged, which of the following processes would be
most directly affected?
a) ATP production
b) Protein synthesis
c) Breakdown of cellular waste
d) DNA replication
20. Which organelle is directly involved in energy production?
a) Golgi apparatus
b) Ribosome
c) Mitochondrion
d) Lysosome
Domains of Life
21. Which domain includes organisms that can survive in extreme environments
such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents?
a) Bacteria
b) Archaea
c) Eukarya
d) Protists
22. How do autotrophs differ from heterotrophs?
a) Autotrophs depend on other organisms for energy
b) Autotrophs synthesize their own organic molecules from CO2
c) Heterotrophs use sunlight for energy
d) Autotrophs obtain carbon from organic sources
23. Which type of organism can obtain energy from inorganic compounds like
hydrogen sulfide?
a) Chemotroph
b) Phototroph
c) Organotroph
d) Autotroph
24. Which domain contains both unicellular and multicellular organisms?
a) Bacteria
b) Archaea
c) Eukarya
d) Prokaryota
25. Which of the following is an example of an obligate anaerobe?
a) An organism that thrives in oxygen-rich environments
b) A bacterium that dies when exposed to oxygen
c) A plant that performs photosynthesis
d) A virus
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