AP BIOLOGY Scoring Guide

ALL MCQ of unit 1

1.

Figure 1. Effect of different abiotic factors on the macromolecule content of bacterial cells. Cells were grown in
media with a standard amount ( ), twice the standard amount ( ), or a reduced amount ( ) of each substance.
Error bars represent .

To test the effect of different abiotic factors on the macromolecule content of bacterial cells, researchers grew
identical samples of bacterial cells on growth media in which the amount of nitrates and phosphates differed. The
amounts of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins in each sample of cells were then determined (Figure 1).

Based on Figure 1, use of which of the following growth media resulted in a decrease in the amount of protein but
an increase in the amount of lipids compared with the control?
(A) Medium with a standard amount of nitrates and a reduced amount of phosphates
(B) Medium with a reduced amount of nitrates and a standard amount of phosphates
(C) Medium with twice the standard amount of nitrates and a standard amount of phosphates
(D) Medium with a standard amount of nitrates and twice the standard amount of phosphates

Answer B

Correct. Based on the graph, this medium produced bacteria with an approximately increase in
lipid but an approximately reduction in protein compared with the control.

2. A culture of Spirogyra (an autotrophic alga) is maintained in a water solution containing dissolved carbon dioxide
and a source of phosphates but lacking nitrogen compounds. A researcher determines the rates of synthesis of
several organic compounds found in the Spirogyra before and after several weeks in the water solution. Which of
the following graphs best illustrates a likely result of the experiment?

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(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

Answer B

This option is correct. Without a source of nitrogen, the Spirogyra cannot synthesize proteins or nucleic
acids, both of which contain nitrogen. This answer reflects that the student is able to represent
graphically the exchange of molecules between an organism and its environment and the use of these
molecules in synthesis.

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3. A feature of organic compounds NOT found in inorganic compounds is the presence of

(A) ionizing chemical groups
(B) electrons
(C) carbon atoms covalently bonded to each other
(D) oxygen
(E) hydrogen bonds

4. The protein is made up of amino acids linked together in a chain. Some humans produce a version of
the protein in which phenylalanine (an amino acid) has been deleted from position 508 of the amino acid
chain.

Which of the following best predicts how the amino acid deletion will affect the structure of the protein?
(A) It will have no observable effect on the structure of the protein.
It will affect the primary structure of the protein, but the other levels of protein structure will
(B)
not be affected.
It will affect the secondary and tertiary structures of the protein, but the primary structure will
(C)
not be affected.
(D) It will affect the primary, secondary, and tertiary structures of the protein.

Answer D

Correct. A change in the primary structure of the protein will lead to changes in the secondary
and tertiary structures. As a result, the protein will not fold properly and will not function normally.

5. Scientists examined the folded structure of a purified protein resuspended in water and found that amino acids with
nonpolar R groups were primarily buried in the middle of the protein, whereas amino acids with polar R groups
were primarily on the surface of the protein. Which of the following best explains the location of the amino acids in
the folded protein?
Polar R groups on the surface of the protein can form ionic bonds with the charged ends of the water
(A)
molecules.
Polar R groups are too bulky to fit in the middle of the protein and are pushed toward the protein’s
(B)
surface.
Nonpolar R groups that cannot form hydrogen bonds with water are pushed into the middle of the
(C)
protein.
Nonpolar R groups from different parts of the protein form covalent bonds with each other to maintain
(D)
the protein’s structure.

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6. A mutation in the gene coding for a single-polypeptide enzyme results in the substitution of the amino acid serine,
which has a polar R group, by the amino acid phenylalanine, which has a nonpolar R group. When researchers test
the catalysis of the normal enzyme and the mutated enzyme, they find that the mutated enzyme has much lower
activity than the normal enzyme does.

Which of the following most likely explains how the amino acid substitution has resulted in decreased catalytic
activity by the mutated enzyme?
The substitution decreased the mass of the enzyme so that the mutated enzyme binds more weakly to the
(A)
substrate than the normal enzyme does.
The substitution altered the secondary and tertiary structure of the enzyme so that the mutated enzyme
(B)
folds into a different shape than the normal enzyme does.
The substitution caused many copies of the mutated enzyme to cluster together and compete for
(C)
substrate to bind.
The substitution caused the directionality of the enzyme to change such that the amino terminus of the
(D)
normal enzyme has become the carboxy terminus of the mutated enzyme.

Answer B

Correct. The replacement of a polar amino acid with a nonpolar amino acid will affect the folding of the
enzyme because there will be different interactions between the R groups.

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Students investigated the effect of light on the carbon cycle in aquatic ecosystems by performing the controlled
experiment summarized below. The students placed equal amounts of water ( ) from a large aquarium in glass
beakers. The students transferred aquatic plants from the aquarium to several of the beakers, and then they placed equal
numbers of the beakers in the light or the dark (Figure 1: groups and ). Similarly, the students transferred goldfish
from the same aquarium to other beakers, and then they placed equal numbers of those beakers in the light or dark (Figure
1: groups and ). Finally, the students placed an equal number of beakers containing water only in the light or dark
(Figure 1: groups and ).

After exposing the samples to light or dark for one hour, the students recorded the of the water in each beaker. Carbon
dioxide dissolved in water will lower the of an aqueous solution. In the experiment, the students used changes in
to monitor changes in the amount of carbon dioxide in the water. For each treatment group, the students calculated the
mean pH and standard error, as documented in the table below.

7. Which of the following graphs is the most appropriate representation of the experimental results documented in the
table?

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(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

8. A student analyzed a viral genome and found that the genome had the following nucleotide composition.

• 28% adenine

• 20% thymine

• 35% cytosine

• 17% guanine

Which of the following best describes the structure of the viral genome?

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(A) Double-stranded DNA

(B) Single-stranded DNA
(C) Double-stranded RNA
(D) Single-stranded RNA

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Friedreich’s ataxia is an inherited disorder. Friedreich’s ataxia is caused by an insertion mutation in a noncoding portion
of the gene where a triplet is repeated hundreds of times. The gene encodes the protein frataxin. A
pedigree of a family with members affected by this disorder is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. A pedigree of a family affected by Friedreich’s ataxia

A researcher collected from several members of the family and used to amplify the genes from each
individual’s . The researcher then used gel electrophoresis to separate the . The results are shown in
Figure 2.

Figure 2. gene fragment sizes for several family members. A sample of with fragments of known lengths
was used for comparison.

The researcher also used a computer to model the structure of the mutant allele. The model suggests that the
repeated triplets in the mutant gene may lead to the formation of an unusual triple-stranded configuration of
(Figure 3).

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Figure 3. The modeled triple-helix structure that can form in areas with multiple triplets

9. Which of the following types of bonds is most likely responsible for the unusual base pairing shown in Figure 3 that
results in the formation of a triplex structure?
(A) Hydrogen
(B) Polar covalent
(C) Ionic
(D) Nonpolar covalent

Answer A

Correct. Hydrogen bonds form between the bases on complementary strands of .

10. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. In an experiment, bacteriophages were labeled with either
radioactive phosphorus or radioactive sulfur. The labeled bacteriophages were incubated with bacteria for a brief
amount of time and then removed. The infected bacteria cells were found to contain significant amounts of
radioactive phosphorus but not radioactive sulfur.

Based on the results of the experiment, which of the following types of molecules did the bacteriophages most
likely inject into the bacteria cells?
(A) Simple carbohydrate
(B) Amino acid
(C) DNA
(D) Polypeptide

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11.

Figure 1. A representation of a reaction involved in the formation of a biological molecule

Which of the following best explains the reaction represented in Figure 1 ?

(A) It is a dehydration synthesis reaction involved in the formation of a lipid.
(B) The reaction is the hydrolysis of a nucleic acid and results in the formation of a nucleotide.
(C) The reaction is the hydrolysis of a nucleic acid and results in the formation of a phospholipid.
(D) It is a dehydration synthesis reaction involved in the formation of a polypeptide.

Answer D

Correct. Two amino acids undergo a dehydration synthesis reaction, resulting in the formation of a
peptide bond between them, the process involved in the growth of a polypeptide.

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12. The carbohydrates glucose, galactose, and fructose have the same chemical formula but different
structural formulas, as represented in the figure.

Which of the following statements about glucose, galactose, and fructose is most likely true?
The carbohydrates have the same properties because they have the same number of carbon, hydrogen,
(A)
and oxygen atoms.
The carbohydrates have the same properties because they each have a single carbon-oxygen double
(B)
bond.
The carbohydrates have different properties because they have different arrangements of carbon,
(C)
hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.
The carbohydrates have different properties because they have different numbers of carbon-carbon
(D)
bonds.

Answer C

Correct. Compounds that have the same chemical formula but different structural formulas usually have
different properties.

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13.

Which of the following statements best describes how organisms such as rabbits obtain the carbon necessary for
building biological molecules?
Rabbits eat plants and use energy absorbed from the plants to make carbon atoms from electrons,
(A)
protons, and neutrons in the air.
Rabbits eat plants and break down plant molecules to obtain carbon and other atoms that they rearrange
(B)
into new carbon-containing molecules.
Rabbits eat plants and use water absorbed from the plants to hydrolyze , which the rabbits breathe
(C)
in from the air and use as a carbon source.
Rabbits eat plants and make carbon-containing molecules by using carbon atoms that the plants
(D)
absorbed from the soil and stored in the cells of their leaves.

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Answer B

Correct. Rabbits break down the plant molecules to obtain the individual atoms or small molecules that
can be built into larger, complex biological molecules.

14. Cholinesterase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the signaling molecule acetylcholine. Which of the
following best explains how cholinesterase carries out its function?
(A) Cholinesterase breaks covalent bonds within acetylcholine by the addition of a water molecule.
(B) Cholinesterase breaks covalent bonds within acetylcholine by removing a water molecule.
Cholinesterase forms covalent bonds between acetylcholine and another molecule by the addition of a
(C)
water molecule.
Cholinesterase forms covalent bonds between acetylcholine and another molecule by removing a water
(D)
molecule.

Answer A

Correct. Hydrolase enzymes catalyze the cleavage of covalent bonds by adding a water molecule to the
bond.

15. Which of the following is responsible for the cohesive property of water?
(A) Hydrogen bonds between the oxygen atoms of two adjacent water molecules
(B) Covalent bonds between the hydrogen atoms of two adjacent water molecules
Hydrogen bonds between the oxygen atom of one water molecule and a hydrogen atom of another water
(C)
molecule
Covalent bonds between the oxygen atom of one water molecule and a hydrogen atom of another water
(D)
molecule
(E) Hydrogen bonds between water molecules and other types of molecules

16. A typical bag of fertilizer contains high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium but trace amounts of
magnesium and calcium. Which of the following best matches the fertilizer component with the molecule in which
it will be incorporated by organisms in the area?
(A) Nitrogen will be incorporated into nucleic acids.
(B) Phosphorus will be incorporated into amino acids.
(C) Potassium will be incorporated into lipids.
(D) Magnesium will be incorporated into carbohydrates.

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Answer A

Correct. All the bases in the nucleotides that compose nucleic acids contain nitrogen.

17. If of the nucleotides in a single-stranded molecule are adenine, then what percent are expected to be
thymine?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

Answer A

Correct. does not contain the nitrogenous base thymine.

18. Researchers compared similar proteins from related organisms in different habitats. They found that the proteins
from organisms living in harsh environments had a greater number of cysteine amino acids than did proteins from
organisms not living in harsh environments. The structure of cysteine is shown. Bonds can form between the sulfur
atom of different cysteine amino acids ( bonds).

Figure 1. Chemical structure of cysteine

Which of the following best describes the effect of a greater number of cysteine amino acids on the stability of the
proteins?
(A) The change has no effect on the stability of the protein because only one type of amino acid is involved.
The change leads to increased protein stability because of an increased number of bonds in the
(B)
tertiary structure of the proteins.
The change leads to decreased protein stability because of an increased number of bonds in the
(C)
tertiary structure of the proteins.
The change leads to increased protein stability only when the added cysteine amino acids are next to
(D)
other cysteine amino acids in the primary structure.

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Answer B

Correct. An increased number of bonds are possible with the addition of more cysteine in the
proteins. The covalent bonds should add more structural stability to the proteins.

19. Amylase is an enzyme that converts carbohydrate polymers into monomers. Glycogen synthase is one of the
enzymes involved in converting carbohydrate monomers into polymers.

Which of the following best explains the reactions of these enzymes?

Amylase aids in the removal of a water molecule to break covalent bonds whereas glycogen synthase
(A)
aids in the addition of a water molecule to form covalent bonds.
Amylase aids in the addition of a water molecule to break covalent bonds whereas glycogen synthase
(B)
aids in the removal of a water molecule to form covalent bonds.
Amylase aids in the addition of a water molecule to form covalent bonds whereas glycogen synthase
(C)
aids in the removal of a water molecule to break covalent bonds.
Amylase aids in the removal of a water molecule to form covalent bonds whereas glycogen synthase
(D)
aids in the addition of a water molecule to break covalent bonds.

Answer B

Correct. Amylase breaks bonds in polymers (hydrolysis) and glycogen synthase forms bonds between
monomers (dehydration synthesis). Water is added to break bonds and removed to form them.

20. Which of the following correctly illustrates a dipeptide and an amino acid in the optimal position to form a
tripeptide?

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(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

Answer A

This option is correct. It demonstrates an ability to refine and/or interpret a representation to explain the
synthesis of a biological polymer. Peptides or proteins are polymers of amino acid monomers arranged in
a unique linear sequence. Each of the 20 amino acids consists of a carbon atom surrounded by an amine
group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH), a hydrogen, and an R (variable) group. When two amino acids
are positioned so that the carboxyl group of one amino acid backbone is adjacent to the amine group of
another amino acid backbone, they can join by a dehydration reaction.

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21. Figure 1 represents a nucleic acid fragment that is made up of four nucleotides linked together in a chain.

Figure 1. Nucleic acid fragment

Which of the following characteristics of Figure 1 best shows that the fragment is and not ?
(A) The to orientation of the nucleotide chain
(B) The identity of each nitrogenous base
(C) The charges on the phosphate groups
(D) The type of bond linking the nucleotides together

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Answer B

Correct. contains uracil, whereas contains thymine.

22.

Figure 1. Nucleic acid segments

and are nucleic acids that can store biological information based on the sequence of their nucleotide
monomers. Figure 1 shows a short segment of each of the two types of nucleic acids.

Which of the following best describes a structural difference between and ?

contains four types of nitrogenous bases, whereas contains only two types of nitrogenous
(A)
bases.
(B) The backbone of contains deoxyribose, whereas the backbone of contains ribose.
A molecule is composed of two parallel strands with the same to directionality, whereas an
(C)
molecule is composed of only one to strand.
(D) Phosphate groups provide rigidity to , but is flexible and contains no phosphate groups.

Answer B

Correct. The backbones of and are composed of an alternating sugar and base. In ,
the sugar is deoxyribose, whereas the sugar in is ribose.

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Figure 1. Domain structure of two proteins

Investigators studied the interactions between two different proteins, protein and protein . Each protein has two
structural domains (Figure 1) that represent different functional parts of the protein. Different combinations of the protein
domains were tested for their ability to bind to a known DNA sequence, interact with each other, and activate
transcription. The results are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1. INTERACTION AND FUNCTION OF COMBINATIONS OF STRUCTURAL VARIANTS OF

PROTEINS AND

Domain(s) of Domain(s) of DNA Protein-Protein Transcription

Test
Protein Used Protein Used Binding Interaction Activation

None
None

23. Which of the following claims is best supported by the data from test in Table 1 ?
(A) Domain is required for transcription activation.
(B) Domain is not required for protein-protein interaction.
(C) Protein-protein interaction is necessary for DNA binding.
(D) Protein-protein interaction is sufficient for transcription activation.

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Answer B

Correct. Based on the data for test in which domain is omitted but protein-protein interaction occurs,
the domain but not the domain of protein interacts with protein . This is also confirmed in test
in which the domain but not the domain of protein is present and in which protein-protein
interaction does not occur.

24. Based on the data, which structural domain is most likely required for DNA binding?

(A) Domain
(B) Domain
(C) Domain
(D) Domain

Answer A

Correct. Based on the data in Table 1, DNA binding occurs anytime both domains of protein are
present. The data for test indicate that DNA binding also occurs when only domain of protein is
present. The data for test confirm that the presence of domain is insufficient to allow DNA binding.
Therefore, domain is responsible for DNA binding by protein .

25. Which of the following claims is best supported by the data in Table 1 ?
(A) Protein-protein interaction always results in transcription activation.
(B) DNA binding is required for protein-protein interaction.
(C) Protein-protein interaction is necessary for, but not adequate for, transcriptional activation.
(D) DNA binding always results in transcription activation.

Answer C

Correct. Based on the data for tests and , transcription activation occurs when both DNA binding and
protein-protein interaction occur. The data for test demonstrate that protein-protein interaction alone is
insufficient for transcription activation to occur.

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26. Which of the following is the most likely result of testing a combination of domains and ?
(A) No functionality
(B) DNA binding only
(C) Transcriptional activation only
(D) Protein-protein interaction only

Answer D

Correct. Based on the data from tests and , domain (and not domain ) enables protein-protein
interaction. Based on the data from tests and , domain (and not domain ) enables protein-protein
interaction. Therefore, protein-protein interaction is expected to occur when domains and are
combined.

27. A chemical binds to a protein composed of a single polypeptide chain and prevents the formation of an alpha helix
that is typically formed in the absence of the chemical. Which of the following best describes the effect the
chemical has on the structure of the protein?
(A) The primary structure held together by covalent bonds is affected.
(B) The secondary structure held together by hydrogen bonds is affected.
(C) The secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures are affected.
(D) All levels of protein structure are affected.

Answer B

Correct. Alpha helices are a form of secondary protein structure and are held together by hydrogen
bonds. This chemical prevents alpha helices from forming, and therefore, it is most likely that the
chemical affects hydrogen bonding within the local region of amino acids.

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28.

Figure 1. Model of structure in the absence and presence of ethidium bromide

Ethidium bromide is a chemical that disrupts the replication of . Based on the model shown in Figure 1,
which of the following best describes the effect of ethidium bromide on structure?
(A) It is inserted between complementary nitrogenous bases, causing the two strands of to denature.
It is inserted between complementary nitrogenous bases, causing hydrogen bonds to form between
(B)
noncomplementary nitrogenous bases.
(C) It is inserted between sequential nitrogenous base pairs, increasing the length of the molecule.
(D) It is inserted in place of certain nitrogenous base pairs, decreasing the length of the molecule.

Answer C

Correct. Ethidium bromide is inserted between sequential base pairs, resulting in a longer
molecule.

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29. A researcher measured the temperature at which two different samples of double-stranded denature (separate
into single strands). Sample denatured at a significantly lower temperature than sample did. Based on the data,
the researcher claims that the in sample is composed of a higher percentage of guanine and cytosine than
the in sample is.

Which of the following best supports the researcher’s claim?

The bonds between guanine and cytosine are covalent bonds, which require more energy to disrupt than
(A)
those between adenine and thymine.
Guanine-cytosine pairs denature at a higher temperature because they have more hydrogen bonds
(B)
between them than adenine-thymine pairs do.
Adenine-thymine pairs require less energy to separate because adenine and thymine are both single-ring
(C)
bases.
(D) Guanine-cytosine pairs require more energy to separate because one is a purine and one is a pyrimidine.

Answer B

Correct. Three hydrogen bonds form between guanine and cytosine, while only two hydrogen bonds
form between adenine and thymine.

High levels of certain plant nutrients in runoff can lead to rapid growth of algae (an algal bloom) in aquatic ecosystems.
These algal blooms are generally followed by algal death and decomposition, which consumes large amounts of dissolved
oxygen in the water and results in oxygen levels insufficient to support aerobic respiration. This process is known as
eutrophication. The amount of algae present in a body of water can be estimated from the amount of chlorophyll a in a
sample of the water. A researcher studying eutrophication collected samples at different times of the year in a freshwater
ecosystem. The samples were analyzed for total nitrogen and chlorophyll a concentration (Figure 1) as well as total
phosphorus and chlorophyll a concentration (Figure 2).

Figure 1. Amount of chlorophyll a in relation to the Figure 2. Amount of chlorophyll a in relation to the
amount of total nitrogen amount of total phosphorous

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30. Which of the following was the dependent variable in the researcher’s study?

(A) The concentration of chlorophyll a

(B) The concentration of total nitrogen and phosphorus
(C) The slope of the trend line showing the rate of change
(D) The variance of the data points from the trend line

Answer A

Correct. The concentration of chlorophyll a is dependent on the concentrations of nitrogen and

phosphorus.

31. Which of the following best explains how higher concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus contribute to
eutrophication?
An increase in the population of algae results in more nitrogen and phosphorus in the water, causing
(A)
severe eutrophication.
Both bacteria and algae require nitrogen and phosphorus, so the algae must grow faster to compete with
(B)
bacteria.
Nitrogen and phosphorus stimulate oxidative phosphorylation, which consumes the available oxygen in
(C)
the water.
Algae require nitrogen and phosphorus to build macromolecules, so higher concentrations of these
(D)
nutrients can result in algal blooms.

Answer D

Correct. Algae use nitrogen and phosphorus in the synthesis of macromolecules, so the addition of these
nutrients increases the growth of the algae.

32. Which of the following describes the relationship between the amount of chlorophyll a in a water sample and the
concentration of nitrogen in that sample?
(A) As the concentration of chlorophyll a increases, the concentration of nitrogen decreases.
(B) The concentrations of nitrogen and chlorophyll a are directly correlated.
(C) The concentrations of chlorophyll a and nitrogen increase throughout the year.
(D) There is no relationship between the concentrations of chlorophyll a and nitrogen.

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Answer B

Correct. The data indicate that as the amount of nitrogen increases, the amount of chlorophyll in the
water sample increases.

33. The molecular structures of linoleic acid and palmitic acid, two naturally occurring substances, are shown in the
figure.

Based on the molecular structures shown in the figure, which molecule is likely to be solid at room temperature?
Linoleic acid, because the absence of carbon-carbon double bonds allows the molecules to pack closely
(A)
together.
Linoleic acid, because the presence of carbon-carbon double bonds prevents the molecules from packing
(B)
closely together.
Palmitic acid, because the absence of carbon-carbon double bonds allows the molecules to pack closely
(C)
together.
Palmitic acid, because the presence of carbon-carbon double bonds prevents the molecules from packing
(D)
closely together.

Answer C

Correct. Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid. The absence of carbon-carbon double bonds in palmitic
acid allows the molecules to pack closely together and form a solid at room temperature.

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34. The following is a food web for a meadow habitat that occupies 25.6 km2. The primary producers’ biomass is
uniformly distributed throughout the habitat and totals 1,500 kg/km2.

Developers have approved a project that will permanently reduce the primary producers’ biomass by 50 percent and
remove all rabbits and deer.

Which of the following is the most likely result at the completion of the project?
(A) The biomass of coyotes will be 6 kg, and the biomass of hawks will be 0.5 kg.
(B) The biomass of coyotes will be dramatically reduced.
(C) The coyotes will switch prey preferences and outcompete the hawks.
(D) There will be 50 percent fewer voles and 90 percent fewer hawks.

Answer B

This option is correct. It demonstrates an understanding of the components of a food web and
interactions between all of the participants. Coyotes prey on deer and rabbits, and if developers remove
them, coyotes will lose their primary source of nutrition/energy. With this loss of nutrition/energy they
will experience a decrease in reproductive success and therefore a significant decline in their population.

Directions: This group of questions consists of five lettered headings followed by a list of phrases or sentences. For each
phrase or sentence, select the one heading to which it is most closely related. Each heading may be used once, more than
once, or not at all.

This group of questions refers to the following groups of biological compounds.

(A) Proteins
(B) Carbohydrates
(C) Nucleic acids
(D) Lipids
(E) Steroids

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35. Used to carry the genetic code

(A) Proteins
(B) Carbohydrates
(C) Nucleic acids
(D) Lipids
(E) Steroids

36. Water and ammonia interact to form hydrogen bonds, as represented in the figure.

Which statement best helps explain the formation of the hydrogen bond represented in the figure?
(A) The oxygen has a partial positive charge, and the nitrogen has a partial negative charge.
The nitrogen has a partial negative charge, and the hydrogen attached to the oxygen has a partial positive
(B)
charge.
The hydrogen attached to the oxygen has a partial negative charge, and the nitrogen also has a partial
(C)
negative charge.
The nitrogen has a partial positive charge, and the hydrogen attached to the oxygen also has a partial
(D)
positive charge.

Answer B

Correct. The greater electronegativity of oxygen and nitrogen compared with hydrogen makes for
unequal sharing of electrons, which results in partial negative charges associated with the oxygen and
nitrogen atoms and partial positive charges associated with the hydrogen atoms in both molecules. The
attraction between opposite charges results in the formation of the hydrogen bond represented in the
figure.

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37. Which of the following best describes the hydrolysis of carbohydrates?

(A) The removal of a water molecule breaks a covalent bond between sugar monomers.
(B) The removal of a water molecule forms a covalent bond between sugar monomers.
(C) The addition of a water molecule breaks a covalent bond between sugar monomers.
(D) The addition of a water molecule forms a covalent bond between sugar monomers.

Answer C

Correct. The hydrolysis of carbohydrates involves the addition of a water molecule, which breaks the
covalent bond between monomers.

38. The process of hydrogenation is used in the food industry to convert lipids that are liquids at room temperature into
solids at room temperature. The process involves the chemical addition of hydrogen atoms to the fatty acid tails of
lipids, breaking some or all of the carbon-carbon double bonds in the fatty acid tails.

Which of the following best explains why hydrogenation converts liquid lipids to solid lipids?
(A) Hydrogenation makes the fatty acids more saturated, enabling them to be more densely packed together.
(B) Hydrogenation makes the fatty acids less saturated, enabling them to be more densely packed together.
Hydrogenation makes the fatty acids more saturated, resulting in fewer lipid molecules fitting within a
(C)
given space.
Hydrogenation makes the fatty acids less saturated, resulting in fewer lipid molecules fitting within a
(D)
given space.

Answer A

Correct. Adding hydrogen atoms results in fatty acid tails that are more saturated. The hydrocarbon
chains of saturated fatty acids are straighter than those of unsaturated molecules and can therefore pack
more closely together. More intermolecular forces result in higher melting points, converting the lipids to
solids at room temperature.

39. A common test for liver function involves sprinkling sulfur powder onto a sample of urine (mostly water with
dissolved bodily waste). Sulfur powder sprinkled on a sample from an individual with impaired liver function will
sink because the urine contains a high level of bile salts, while the sulfur powder sprinkled on normal urine samples
will float.

Which of the following best explains why bile salts cause the sulfur powder to sink?

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(A) Bile salts decrease the surface tension of the urine sample.
(B) Bile salts increase the water potential of the urine.
(C) Bile salts increase the density of the urine sample.
(D) Bile salts decrease the strength of the covalent bonds within a water molecule.

Answer A

Correct. If bile salts interfere with the hydrogen bonds between surface water molecules, then the surface
tension will be reduced and the sulfur power will sink.

40. TABLE 1. PERCENT CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FOUR MACROMOLECULES

Macromolecule

Sample

A researcher analyzed four different samples of macromolecules, where all macromolecules in each sample are of
the same type. The researcher measured the percent of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur
atoms in each sample. The results are shown in Table 1.

Which of the following claims is best supported by the data in Table 1 ?

(A) Sample A contains nucleic acids.
(B) Sample B contains protein.
(C) Sample C contains nucleic acids.
(D) Sample D contains protein.

Answer B

Correct. This sample is consistent with the atoms found in the largest quantities in proteins (C, H, O, N).

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A small amount of sulfur is also typically found in proteins. This sample does not have phosphorus,
which would be indicative of a nucleic acid and not a protein.

41. The figure shows a model of the exchange of matter between the organisms that live together in an aquarium. The
model includes matter exchange between plants, fish, and bacteria. The bacteria are represented as rod-shaped
organisms living in the gravel at the bottom of the aquarium.

Which of the following statements best describes how molecules released by the fish become nutrients for the
plants?
The carbon dioxide molecules released by the fish are converted by the bacteria to oxygen atoms, which
(A)
are used by the plants to make water molecules.
The oxygen molecules released by the fish are converted by the bacteria to ammonia molecules, which
(B)
are used by the plants to make lipids and fatty acids.
The nitrites released by the fish are converted by the bacteria to carbon dioxide molecules, which are
(C)
used by the plants to make carbohydrates.
The ammonia molecules released by the fish are converted by the bacteria to nitrates, which are used by
(D)
the plants to make proteins and nucleic acids.

Answer D

Correct. As shown in the figure, the ammonia molecules released by the fish are converted by the
bacteria to nitrites and nitrates. The plants absorb the nitrates, which are nitrogen-containing nutrients
that the plants use to make the amino acids and nucleotides needed for building proteins and nucleic

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acids.

42.

Figure 1. Structure of a membrane protein

Based on Figure 1, the amino acids in region are most likely to have which of the following characteristics?
(A) Most amino acids will be hydrophobic because they interact most favorably with the phospholipid tails.
(B) Most amino acids will be hydrophilic because they interact most favorably with the phospholipid heads.
Most amino acids will be ionic amino acids because they interact most favorably with the phospholipid
(C)
tails.
Most amino acids will be polar amino acids because they interact most favorably with the phospholipid
(D)
heads.

Answer A

Correct. Region brackets the hydrophobic tails of the membrane phospholipids. In order for a protein
to be embedded in the membrane among the phospholipid tails, the amino acids of the portion of the
protein in region must also be hydrophobic.

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43. A small protein is composed of 110 amino acids linked together in a chain. As shown in Figure 1, the first and last
five amino acids in the chain are hydrophobic (have nonpolar and uncharged -groups), whereas the remaining 100
amino acids are hydrophilic (have charged or polar -groups). The nature of the -group determines if the amino
acid is hydrophobic or hydrophilic.

A mutation results in the production of a version of the small protein that is only 105 amino acids long, as shown in
Figure 2. Five of the hydrophobic amino acids are missing from one end of the chain.

Which of the following best depicts the tertiary structures of the two proteins in water? The diagrams in the options
are not drawn to the same scale as those in Figure 1 and Figure 2.

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(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

Answer A

Correct. The hydrophilic middle of the protein chain would be attracted to the water molecules, and the
hydrophobic ends would be repelled. Hydrophobic portions of proteins in water tend to be found near the
center of the tertiary structure, as far from the water as possible.

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44.

Which of the following conclusions is most clearly supported by the representations of nucleic acid and nucleic
acid ?
(A) Nucleic acid contains only purines, whereas nucleic acid contains only pyrimidines.
(B) Nucleic acid contains the sugar ribose, whereas nucleic acid contains the sugar deoxyribose.
(C) Nucleic acid contains positively charged phosphate groups, whereas nucleic acid does not.
(D) Nucleic acid contains adenine-thymine base pairs, whereas nucleic acid does not.

Answer D

Correct. The representation of nucleic acid shows adenine-thymine base pairs, whereas the
representation of nucleic acid shows only uracil in the nucleotide chain and does not show any base
pairing.

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45. Students conducted a controlled experiment to investigate whether sawdust provides enough nutrients to support
plant growth. The students separated ten nearly identical sunflower seedlings into two groups. They grew the
seedlings in the first group in potting soil and the seedlings in the second group in sawdust composed mostly of
cellulose. After twenty days, the students recorded observations about the seedlings in each group. The students’
observations are presented in the table.

Mean Seedling
Treatment Group Observations
Height
Seedlings in potting The leaves have a dark green color and are normal in
soil size.
Seedlings in sawdust The leaves have a grayish color and are small in size.

The observed differences between the groups most likely resulted from differences in the ability of the seedlings to
produce which of the following monomers?

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(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

Answer C

Correct. Sawdust will not provide sufficient amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus, resulting in the
seedlings having a reduced ability to produce both of the monomers shown (amino acids and
nucleotides).

46. Which of the following best explains why a cell’s plasma membrane is composed of two layers of phospholipids
rather than just a single layer?

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Having two oppositely oriented layers of phospholipids allows only the hydrophilic heads to interact
(A)
with water inside and outside of the cell.
Having two oppositely oriented layers of phospholipids allows the hydrophilic heads to repel water both
(B)
inside and outside of the cells.
Having two identically oriented layers of phospholipids gives cells more protection from the exterior
(C)
environment than just a single layer would.
Having two identically oriented layers of phospholipids allows for the production of vacuoles while still
(D)
maintaining a protective barrier.

Answer A

Correct. Phospholipids are oriented so the hydrophilic heads are on the membrane exterior and can
interact with water inside and outside of the cell. The hydrophobic tails in the middle of the membrane
create a protective barrier for the cell.

47.

Figure 1. An amino acid

The amino acid in Figure 1 is found in a region of a polypeptide that folds away from water. Which part of the
amino acid most likely contributes to the hydrophobic behavior of this region of the polypeptide?
(A) Amine ( ) group
(B) Carboxyl ( ) group
(C) Methyl ( ) group
(D) Hydrogen ( ) atom

Answer C

Correct. The methyl group is one of the functional groups that differentiate the twenty amino acids found
in proteins. Since the methyl group is nonpolar, it is likely to make this region of the polypeptide more

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hydrophobic.

48. Figure 1 represents a common process that occurs in organisms.

Figure 1. Structural formula for a common biological reaction

Which of the following is an accurate description of the process shown in Figure 1 ?

(A) The linking of amino acids with an ionic bond as an initial step in the protein synthesis process
(B) The formation of a more complex carbohydrate with the covalent bonding of two simple sugars
(C) The hydrolysis of amino acids with the breaking of covalent bonds with the release of water
(D) The formation of a covalent peptide bond in a dehydration synthesis reaction

Answer D

Correct. This reaction combines two smaller amino acids to form a dipeptide (a step in the formation of a
protein) with the release of water. The presence of nitrogen is consistent with both amino acids and
proteins. The combining of smaller molecules to form a larger molecule with the release of water is a
dehydration synthesis reaction.

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49.

Figure 1. Formation of a peptide bond

Which of the following best describes the formation of the bond shown in Figure 1 ?
An ionic bond is formed between a carbon atom of one amino acid and the nitrogen atom of the other
(A)
amino acid.
An ionic bond is formed when the negative charge of an group is balanced by the positive charge of
(B)
a hydrogen ion.
A covalent bond is formed between a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom along with the formation of
(C)
.
(D) A covalent bond is formed that replaces the hydrogen bond between the group and the atom.

Answer C

Correct. Even though the water molecule that is produced is not shown in Figure 1, it shows the
formation of the peptide bond and the missing and .

50. Which of the following best describes the process by which gas from the atmosphere is obtained by plants and used
to build lipids?
(A) Gas is fixed by plants as part of the sulfur cycle.
(B) Gas is fixed by plants as part of the nitrogen cycle.
(C) Gas is directly obtained by plants as part of the carbon cycle.
(D) Gas is directly obtained by plants as part of the magnesium cycle.

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Answer C

Correct. Lipids are made of hydrocarbon chains whose main component is carbon. Plants obtain this
carbon directly from the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide.

51. The diagram shows how water can adhere to the xylem in the stems of plants, which contributes to water movement
in the plant. Which of the following best explains how water is able to move upward from the roots of a plant,
through its xylem in the stem, and out to the leaves?

Water is polar, and the walls of the xylem are nonpolar. Water molecules have the ability to form
(A)
hydrogen bonds with one another but not with the xylem walls.
Water is nonpolar, and the walls of the xylem are polar. Water molecules are able to form hydrogen
(B)
bonds with the xylem walls, and they are pulled up the xylem.
Water and the xylem are both nonpolar. Water molecules have the ability to form hydrogen bonds with
(C)
one another but not with the xylem walls.
Water and the xylem are both polar. Water molecules have the ability to form hydrogen bonds with each
(D)
other and with the walls of the xylem.

Answer D

Correct. Water has a high surface tension as a result of the hydrogen bonds that water molecules form
between each other because both the xylem and the water are polar.

52. Which of the following best describes the structures of carbohydrates?

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(A) They only occur as disaccharides.

(B) They occur as monomers, chains of monomers, and branched structures.
(C) They only occur as long and branched structures.
(D) They occur as chains of monomers that hydrogen bond with complementary chains of monomers.

Answer B

Correct. Carbohydrates occur in many forms. Glucose is an example of a monomer, sucrose is a chain of
two carbohydrate monomers, and starch is an example of a carbohydrate with a branched structure.

53. Humans produce sweat as a cooling mechanism to maintain a stable internal temperature. Which of the following
best explains how the properties of water contribute to this physiological process?
(A) The high specific heat capacity of water allows the body to absorb a large amount of excess heat energy.
The high heat of vaporization of water allows the body to remove excess heat through a phase change of
(B)
water from liquid to gas.
(C) The high surface tension of water contributes to the physical process by which water leaves the body.
The high melting temperature of water allows the body to remove excess heat through a phase change of
(D)
water from solid to liquid.

Answer B

Correct. Water has a high heat of vaporization. Sweat produced by the body decreases the temperature of
the body by absorbing a large quantity of heat energy during the liquid to gas phase change.

54. The synthesis of protein or carbohydrate polymers always produces which of the following as a byproduct?
(A) ATP
(B) Oxygen
(C) Carbon dioxide
(D) Urea
(E) Water

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55. Polypeptides are continuously being formed and degraded. One of these processes is shown.

Figure 1. Polypeptide reaction

Which statement is the most accurate description of the reaction shown in Figure 1?
(A) It represents monomers linked by dehydration synthesis.
(B) It represents a polypeptide chain that folds to form the tertiary structure.
(C) It represents a polypeptide chain that is denatured into the primary structure.
(D) It represents a polypeptide chain that is broken down through a hydrolysis reaction.

Answer D

Correct. The reaction shows the polypeptide being split into two smaller units with the addition of a
hydroxide ion and a hydrogen ion from water. This facilitates the breaking of the bond holding the
polypeptide together.

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56.

The sequences for two short fragments of DNA are shown above. Which of the following is one way in which these
two segments would differ?
(A) Segment 1 would not code for mRNA because both strands have T, a base not found in RNA.
(B) Segment 1 would be more soluble in water than segment 2 because it has more phosphate groups.
Segment 1 would become denatured at a lower temperature than would segment 2 because A-T base
(C)
pairs have two hydrogen bonds whereas G-C base pairs have three.
(D) Segment 1 must be from a prokaryote because it has predominantly A-T base pairs.

Answer C

This option is correct. It demonstrates an understanding of the relationship between structure and
function at the molecular level and the ability to make predictions about how change(s) in structure affect
functionality. Because G-C base pairs have three hydrogen bonds, they are more stable structurally.
Thus, because DNA Segment 2 has more G-C base pairs than DNA Segment 1, Segment 2 is more stable
and thus would denature at higher temperatures than Segment 1.

57. Which of the following best explains why surface tension is created on the surface of bodies of water?
Water molecules are attracted to each other because the hydrogen atoms donate electrons to oxygen
(A)
atoms.
Water molecules are attracted to each other because the sharing of electrons between hydrogen and
(B)
oxygen is unequal.
Water molecules are attracted to substances dissolved in the water because most dissolved substances
(C)
are positively charged.
Water molecules are attracted to substances dissolved in the water because most dissolved substances
(D)
are negatively charged.

Answer B

Correct. The unequal sharing of electrons between hydrogen and oxygen in a water molecule results in a
partial positive charge and a partial negative charge on the hydrogen and oxygen atoms, respectively.
These partial charges attract other water molecules, resulting in hydrogen bond formation and cohesive
forces between the water molecules, especially at the surface of the water.

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58. Figure 1 is a diagram of water molecules at the air-water interface at the surface of a pond.

Figure 1. Alignment of water molecules at air-water interface

Based on Figure 1, which of the following best describes how the properties of water at an air-water interface
enable an insect to walk on the water's surface?
Covalent bonds between water molecules and the air above provide cohesion, which causes tiny bubbles
(A)
to form under the feet of the insect.
Ionic bonds between molecules at the surface of the water provide an electric charge, which attracts the
(B)
feet of the insect, keeping it on the surface.
Polar covalent bonds between molecules at the surface of the water provide adhesion, which supports
(C)
the weight of the insect.
Hydrogen bonds between molecules at the surface of the water provide surface tension, which allows the
(D)
water surface to deform but not break under the insect.

Answer D

Correct. Hydrogen bonds form between water molecules due to the partial charges produced as a result
of the polarity of the water molecule. The strength of the attraction between the water molecules allows
organisms to walk across the surface without breaking the hydrogen bonds.

59. Which of the following best describes how amino acids affect the tertiary structure of a protein?
(A) The number of amino acids determines the tertiary structure of the protein.
The interactions of the different -groups with other -groups and with their environment determine
(B)
the tertiary structure of the protein.
The -group of the last amino acid that is added to a growing polypeptide chain determines the next
(C)
amino acid that is added to the chain.
The sequence of the amino acids in the polypeptide chain determines the protein’s primary structure but
(D)
has no effect on its tertiary structure.

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Answer B

Correct. The tertiary structure is determined by the attractions, repulsions, and bonding between different
amino acids. Changing the sequence of even two amino acids may affect the tertiary shape of the protein.

60. Ultraviolet ( ) radiation can damage by breaking weak bonds. Which of the following best explains how
this occurs?
radiation disrupts the double helix structure by breaking the covalent bonds between the
(A)
nitrogenous base pairs.
radiation disrupts the double helix structure by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the
(B)
nitrogenous base pairs.
radiation is able to break strands in two by breaking covalent bonds between the sugar-
(C)
phosphate backbone molecules.
radiation is able to break strands in two by breaking hydrogen bonds between the sugar-
(D)
phosphate backbone molecules.

Answer B

Correct. Hydrogen bonds, like those found between nitrogenous base pairs, are weaker than covalent
bonds and are easily broken by radiation.

61. Which of the following is most directly responsible for water’s unique properties?
(A) It contains oxygen atoms.
(B) It contains hydrogen atoms.
(C) It is an ionic compound.
(D) It forms hydrogen bonds.
(E) It is nonpolar.

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