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BIOC 384: Foundations in Biochemistry D2Q 1–3 Practice Questions
with Verified Answers & Rationales UPDATED!!! NEW
Based on Miesfeld & McEvoy Biochemistry Curriculum
D2Q 1: Foundations of Biochemistry & Biological Molecules
Questions
1. What is the central dogma of molecular biology?
A. DNA → RNA → Protein
B. RNA → DNA → Protein
C. Protein → RNA → DNA
D. DNA → Protein → RNA
Answer: A
Rationale: The central dogma describes the flow of genetic
information: DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is translated
into protein. This fundamental principle underlies all of
biochemistry.
2. Which of the following is NOT a major class of biological
macromolecules?
A. Proteins
B. Nucleic acids
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C. Polysaccharides
D. Triglycerides
Answer: D
Rationale: Triglycerides are lipids, which are biological
molecules but not considered macromolecules in the same
sense as proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides, which are
polymers of smaller subunits.
3. What type of bond links amino acids together in a protein?
A. Glycosidic bond
B. Peptide bond
C. Phosphodiester bond
D. Hydrogen bond
Answer: B
Rationale: Peptide bonds are covalent amide bonds formed
between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino
group of another, linking amino acids in a protein chain.
4. What is the primary function of carbohydrates in biological
systems?
A. Genetic information storage
B. Energy storage and structural support
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C. Catalysis of reactions
D. Cell signaling only
Answer: B
Rationale: Carbohydrates serve as energy storage molecules
(glycogen, starch) and provide structural support (cellulose in
plants, chitin in arthropods).
5. Which nucleotide base is found in RNA but not DNA?
A. Adenine
B. Guanine
C. Uracil
D. Cytosine
Answer: C
Rationale: RNA contains uracil instead of thymine. DNA
contains adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine; RNA contains
adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil.
6. What is the monomer unit of nucleic acids?
A. Amino acid
B. Nucleotide
C. Monosaccharide
D. Fatty acid
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Answer: B
Rationale: Nucleotides are the monomer units of nucleic acids
(DNA and RNA), consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a
nitrogenous base.
7. What is the chemical formula for glucose?
A. C5H10O5
B. C6H12O6
C. C6H10O6
D. C12H22O11
Answer: B
Rationale: Glucose is a hexose monosaccharide with the
formula C6H12O6.
8. Which of the following is a disaccharide?
A. Glucose
B. Fructose
C. Sucrose
D. Galactose
Answer: C
Rationale: Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and
fructose linked by a glycosidic bond. Glucose, fructose, and
galactose are monosaccharides.
BIOC 384: Foundations in Biochemistry D2Q 1–3 Practice Questions
with Verified Answers & Rationales UPDATED!!! NEW
Based on Miesfeld & McEvoy Biochemistry Curriculum
D2Q 1: Foundations of Biochemistry & Biological Molecules
Questions
1. What is the central dogma of molecular biology?
A. DNA → RNA → Protein
B. RNA → DNA → Protein
C. Protein → RNA → DNA
D. DNA → Protein → RNA
Answer: A
Rationale: The central dogma describes the flow of genetic
information: DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is translated
into protein. This fundamental principle underlies all of
biochemistry.
2. Which of the following is NOT a major class of biological
macromolecules?
A. Proteins
B. Nucleic acids
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
C. Polysaccharides
D. Triglycerides
Answer: D
Rationale: Triglycerides are lipids, which are biological
molecules but not considered macromolecules in the same
sense as proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides, which are
polymers of smaller subunits.
3. What type of bond links amino acids together in a protein?
A. Glycosidic bond
B. Peptide bond
C. Phosphodiester bond
D. Hydrogen bond
Answer: B
Rationale: Peptide bonds are covalent amide bonds formed
between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino
group of another, linking amino acids in a protein chain.
4. What is the primary function of carbohydrates in biological
systems?
A. Genetic information storage
B. Energy storage and structural support
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
C. Catalysis of reactions
D. Cell signaling only
Answer: B
Rationale: Carbohydrates serve as energy storage molecules
(glycogen, starch) and provide structural support (cellulose in
plants, chitin in arthropods).
5. Which nucleotide base is found in RNA but not DNA?
A. Adenine
B. Guanine
C. Uracil
D. Cytosine
Answer: C
Rationale: RNA contains uracil instead of thymine. DNA
contains adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine; RNA contains
adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil.
6. What is the monomer unit of nucleic acids?
A. Amino acid
B. Nucleotide
C. Monosaccharide
D. Fatty acid
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Answer: B
Rationale: Nucleotides are the monomer units of nucleic acids
(DNA and RNA), consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a
nitrogenous base.
7. What is the chemical formula for glucose?
A. C5H10O5
B. C6H12O6
C. C6H10O6
D. C12H22O11
Answer: B
Rationale: Glucose is a hexose monosaccharide with the
formula C6H12O6.
8. Which of the following is a disaccharide?
A. Glucose
B. Fructose
C. Sucrose
D. Galactose
Answer: C
Rationale: Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and
fructose linked by a glycosidic bond. Glucose, fructose, and
galactose are monosaccharides.
