Answers to Practice Questions

Question 1 – TEKS 9A
This is the correct answer. Both proteins and complex carbohydrates (like
starches) are polymers of smaller monomer subunits. Proteins are
A
composed of amino acids, and polysaccharides (starches) are composed of
monosaccharides (simple sugars).
Proteins are not composed of sequences of sugars, only complex
B
carbohydrates.
Lipids themselves are large biomolecules composed of three fatty acids and
C
a glycerol molecule.
Nucleotides of DNA make up the larger DNA molecule (which is a nucleic
D
acid).

Question 2 – TEKS 9A
A This molecule represents a lipid
B This molecule represents a nucleic acid.
This is the correct answer. This drawing represents a complex
C
carbohydrate.
D This molecule is representative of a protein.

Question 3 – TEKS 9A
A Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotides. Amino acids make up proteins.
Polypeptides are proteins, composed of amino acids. Lipids are composed
B
of a glycerol and three fatty acids.
C Lipids are not composed of nucleotides.
This is the correct answer. Complex carbohydrates, like starches, are
D
composed of monosaccharides (simple sugars).

Question 4 – TEKS 9A
A Lipids help serve as the primary structural unit of biological membranes.
B Lipids and carbohydrates can serve as energy storage.
Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information. This is the correct
C
answer.
D Proteins serve as biological catalysts; they also serve structural roles.

Question 5 – TEKS 9A
A This is the correct answer. Lipids help form plasma membranes.
B Chlorophyll helps make energy from the sun.
C Enzymes help control chemical reactions.
D Lipids store long-term energy. Sugars are your fast energy sources.
 Question 6 – TEKS 9A
This is the correct answer. This molecule is ATP, which provides immediate
A
energy for reactions in the cell.
While ATP is used as the nucleotide source for the A part of the RNA
B sequence, the ribose sugar means it can only be used to make RNA, not
DNA.
C Fat storage occurs with lipid molecules, not ATP.
Blood glucose levels is controlled by the hormone insulin, which is a
D
protein.

Question 7 – TEKS 9C
Hormones, while proteins, serve as signal molecules which trigger protein
A
catalysts to act.
B Lipids are fat molecules and serve structural and energy-storage roles.
This is the correct answer. Enzymes are the protein catalysts that help
C
cause chemical reactions to occur.
D Carbohydrates help provide energy to cells.

Question 8 – TEKS 9C
A This is incorrect. Line B is lower in the activation energy part of the graph.
This is incorrect. Both lines begin and end in the same place, so the energy
B
change is the same for both.
C This is incorrect for the same reason as choice B.
This is the correct answer. Line B is lower than Line A in the activation
D
energy portion of the graph.

Question 9 – TEKS 9C
This is the correct answer. All the graph shows is that enzyme activity can
A
change depending on the temperature.
The peak of the graph is not at 57°C. Also, the graph does not specify
B what type of enzyme activity it describes and therefore cannot be assumed
to describe human respiration.
While enzymes may play a role in growth, the graph does specify what type
of enzyme activity it describes. Also, the manipulated variable in the graph
C
is temperature and the proper conclusion must relate activity to
temperature.
While the peak of the graph is near 45°C, the graph does not specify that
D the enzyme activity is related to human digestion. Therefore, it cannot be
concluded that temperature has an effect on digestion.
 Question 10 – TEKS 9A
A There is no relationship between blood pH and rates of cancer incidence.
This is the correct answer. Enzyme activity is optimal within a very narrow
B
range of pH values.
This is not necessarily true. Regardless, blood pH and enzymes inside skin
C
cells are two different environments and shouldn’t be compared in this way.
While some bacteria thrive in very acidic conditions, our blood has an
D
optimal pH of 7.2, which is pretty close to neutral.