1
Campbell Biology Glossary Terms
and Definitions: 200 Multiple
Choice Questions with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales
for Complete Study Guide Success
graded A+
SECTION 1: THE CHEMISTRY OF LIFE (Questions 1–25)
Question 1
A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means is called
a(n):
A) Molecule
B) Element
C) Compound
D) Compound
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An element is a substance that cannot be broken down to other substances by
chemical reactions. There are 92 naturally occurring elements, and each has a unique symbol.
Question 2
The smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element is a(n):
A) Molecule
B) Atom
C) Ion
D) Electron
Correct Answer: B
, 2
Rationale: An atom is the smallest unit of an element that still retains the properties of that
element. Atoms are composed of subatomic particles including protons, neutrons, and
electrons.
Question 3
A chemical bond formed by the sharing of a pair of valence electrons by two atoms is a(n):
A) Ionic bond
B) Hydrogen bond
C) Covalent bond
D) Van der Waals interaction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share a pair of valence electrons. This is
the strongest type of chemical bond in biological systems.
Question 4
The tendency of an atom to attract electrons toward itself in a chemical bond is called:
A) Polarity
B) Electronegativity
C) Ionization
D) Dissociation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons toward itself in a
chemical bond. Oxygen and nitrogen are highly electronegative.
Question 5
A substance that minimizes changes in the concentrations of H⁺ and OH⁻ in a solution is a(n):
A) Acid
B) Base
C) Buffer
D) Salt
, 3
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A buffer is a substance that minimizes changes in the concentrations of H⁺ and OH⁻ in
a solution by accepting or donating hydrogen ions.
Question 6
The four major classes of biological macromolecules are:
A) Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
B) Sugars, fats, oils, and waxes
C) Monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, and starches
D) Amino acids, nucleotides, fatty acids, and steroids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The four major classes of biological macromolecules are carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins, and nucleic acids. Each is composed of specific monomers.
Question 7
A polymer is a long molecule consisting of many similar or identical building blocks called:
A) Monomers
B) Dimers
C) Trimers
D) Polymers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A polymer is a long molecule consisting of many similar or identical building blocks
called monomers. Polymers are synthesized by dehydration reactions and broken down by
hydrolysis.
Question 8
The reaction that connects monomers to form polymers by removing a water molecule is called:
A) Hydrolysis
B) Dehydration reaction
, 4
C) Condensation reaction
D) Both B and C
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A dehydration reaction (also called a condensation reaction) connects monomers by
removing a water molecule. Hydrolysis is the reverse process, adding water to break bonds.
Question 9
Which macromolecule is composed of amino acid monomers?
A) Carbohydrates
B) Lipids
C) Proteins
D) Nucleic acids
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Proteins are composed of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds. Amino
acids have a central carbon bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and
an R group.
Question 10
The primary structure of a protein refers to:
A) The sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain
B) The local folding of the polypeptide chain into helices or sheets
C) The overall three-dimensional shape of the polypeptide
D) The association of multiple polypeptide chains
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary structure is the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain. Secondary
structure refers to local folding (helices and sheets), tertiary to overall 3D shape, and quaternary
to multiple polypeptide associations.
Question 11
Which of the following is NOT a component of a nucleotide?
Campbell Biology Glossary Terms
and Definitions: 200 Multiple
Choice Questions with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales
for Complete Study Guide Success
graded A+
SECTION 1: THE CHEMISTRY OF LIFE (Questions 1–25)
Question 1
A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means is called
a(n):
A) Molecule
B) Element
C) Compound
D) Compound
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An element is a substance that cannot be broken down to other substances by
chemical reactions. There are 92 naturally occurring elements, and each has a unique symbol.
Question 2
The smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element is a(n):
A) Molecule
B) Atom
C) Ion
D) Electron
Correct Answer: B
, 2
Rationale: An atom is the smallest unit of an element that still retains the properties of that
element. Atoms are composed of subatomic particles including protons, neutrons, and
electrons.
Question 3
A chemical bond formed by the sharing of a pair of valence electrons by two atoms is a(n):
A) Ionic bond
B) Hydrogen bond
C) Covalent bond
D) Van der Waals interaction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share a pair of valence electrons. This is
the strongest type of chemical bond in biological systems.
Question 4
The tendency of an atom to attract electrons toward itself in a chemical bond is called:
A) Polarity
B) Electronegativity
C) Ionization
D) Dissociation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons toward itself in a
chemical bond. Oxygen and nitrogen are highly electronegative.
Question 5
A substance that minimizes changes in the concentrations of H⁺ and OH⁻ in a solution is a(n):
A) Acid
B) Base
C) Buffer
D) Salt
, 3
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A buffer is a substance that minimizes changes in the concentrations of H⁺ and OH⁻ in
a solution by accepting or donating hydrogen ions.
Question 6
The four major classes of biological macromolecules are:
A) Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
B) Sugars, fats, oils, and waxes
C) Monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, and starches
D) Amino acids, nucleotides, fatty acids, and steroids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The four major classes of biological macromolecules are carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins, and nucleic acids. Each is composed of specific monomers.
Question 7
A polymer is a long molecule consisting of many similar or identical building blocks called:
A) Monomers
B) Dimers
C) Trimers
D) Polymers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A polymer is a long molecule consisting of many similar or identical building blocks
called monomers. Polymers are synthesized by dehydration reactions and broken down by
hydrolysis.
Question 8
The reaction that connects monomers to form polymers by removing a water molecule is called:
A) Hydrolysis
B) Dehydration reaction
, 4
C) Condensation reaction
D) Both B and C
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A dehydration reaction (also called a condensation reaction) connects monomers by
removing a water molecule. Hydrolysis is the reverse process, adding water to break bonds.
Question 9
Which macromolecule is composed of amino acid monomers?
A) Carbohydrates
B) Lipids
C) Proteins
D) Nucleic acids
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Proteins are composed of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds. Amino
acids have a central carbon bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and
an R group.
Question 10
The primary structure of a protein refers to:
A) The sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain
B) The local folding of the polypeptide chain into helices or sheets
C) The overall three-dimensional shape of the polypeptide
D) The association of multiple polypeptide chains
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary structure is the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain. Secondary
structure refers to local folding (helices and sheets), tertiary to overall 3D shape, and quaternary
to multiple polypeptide associations.
Question 11
Which of the following is NOT a component of a nucleotide?
