APHY 101 MIDTERM TEST SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH FULL ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ What is the difference between an organic molecule and an
inorganic molecule? Answer: organic compounds have hydrogen and
carbon; inorganic compounds do not
◉ What is dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis? Answer:
Dehydration reactions link monomers together into polymers by
releasing water, and hydrolysis breaks polymers into monomers
using a water molecule. Monomers are just single unit molecules
and polymers are chains of monomers.
◉ What are carbohydrates? Answer: Carbohydrates provide energy
for cellular activities. These molecules contain carbon, hydrogen,
and oxygen.
◉ What are lipids? Answer: Primarily used to supply energy for
cellular activity. Lipids are insoluble in water and include fats,
phospholipids, and steroids.
◉ What are proteins? Answer: Provide structure; energy sources;
chemical messengers
,Play vital role in metabolism
bonded amino acids held together with peptide bonds
◉ What are nucleic acids? Answer: Carry genes and control cell
activities. Examples are RNA and DNA.
◉ Fats (triglycerides) Answer: Used primarily for energy; most
common lipid in the body
Can supply more energy than carbohydrates
Contain C, H, and O but less O than carbohydrates (C57H110O6)
Building blocks are 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids per molecule
Saturated and unsaturated
◉ phospholipids Answer: major component of cell membranes;
large amounts in nervous system
2 fatty acid molecules and a phosphate group bound to a glycerol
molecule
, ◉ steroids Answer: 4 connected rings of carbon atoms; widely
distributed in body; component of cell membrane; used to
synthesize hormones; example includes cholesterol
◉ Define amino acids Answer: building block of proteins
◉ What are enzymes? Answer: large molecules that increase the
rates of chemical reactions without themselves undergoing any
change
◉ What are the differences between DNA and RNA? Answer: RNA
(ribonucleic acid) functions in protein synthesis; DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) stores the molecular code in genes.
◉ cell membrane Answer: regulates the movement of substances in
and out of the cell; participates in signal transduction; and helps
cells adhere to other cells
◉ nucleus Answer: surrounded by an enveloper; composed of RNA
and protein and is the site of ribosome production
◉ cytoplasm Answer: consists of a clear liquid (cytosol), a
supportive cytoskeleton, and networks of membranes and
organelles
QUESTIONS WITH FULL ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ What is the difference between an organic molecule and an
inorganic molecule? Answer: organic compounds have hydrogen and
carbon; inorganic compounds do not
◉ What is dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis? Answer:
Dehydration reactions link monomers together into polymers by
releasing water, and hydrolysis breaks polymers into monomers
using a water molecule. Monomers are just single unit molecules
and polymers are chains of monomers.
◉ What are carbohydrates? Answer: Carbohydrates provide energy
for cellular activities. These molecules contain carbon, hydrogen,
and oxygen.
◉ What are lipids? Answer: Primarily used to supply energy for
cellular activity. Lipids are insoluble in water and include fats,
phospholipids, and steroids.
◉ What are proteins? Answer: Provide structure; energy sources;
chemical messengers
,Play vital role in metabolism
bonded amino acids held together with peptide bonds
◉ What are nucleic acids? Answer: Carry genes and control cell
activities. Examples are RNA and DNA.
◉ Fats (triglycerides) Answer: Used primarily for energy; most
common lipid in the body
Can supply more energy than carbohydrates
Contain C, H, and O but less O than carbohydrates (C57H110O6)
Building blocks are 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids per molecule
Saturated and unsaturated
◉ phospholipids Answer: major component of cell membranes;
large amounts in nervous system
2 fatty acid molecules and a phosphate group bound to a glycerol
molecule
, ◉ steroids Answer: 4 connected rings of carbon atoms; widely
distributed in body; component of cell membrane; used to
synthesize hormones; example includes cholesterol
◉ Define amino acids Answer: building block of proteins
◉ What are enzymes? Answer: large molecules that increase the
rates of chemical reactions without themselves undergoing any
change
◉ What are the differences between DNA and RNA? Answer: RNA
(ribonucleic acid) functions in protein synthesis; DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) stores the molecular code in genes.
◉ cell membrane Answer: regulates the movement of substances in
and out of the cell; participates in signal transduction; and helps
cells adhere to other cells
◉ nucleus Answer: surrounded by an enveloper; composed of RNA
and protein and is the site of ribosome production
◉ cytoplasm Answer: consists of a clear liquid (cytosol), a
supportive cytoskeleton, and networks of membranes and
organelles
