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Most Repeated MDCAT Biology: Biological Molecules MCQs
The most repeated Biological Molecules questions in MDCAT Biology, measured from 377 real past papers. Biological Molecules contributed 484 questions across those papers, and 20 distinct questions recurred with the same verified answer across 2 or more different exam years — listed below (ranked by how many years each recurs in), with the answer, an explanation, and the exact years.
Measured from 377 real past papers · updated July 2026
- 1Repeated in 3 yearsBiological Molecules
Which of the following basic structural level of proteins is indicated by an association of two alpha and two beta chains in the hemoglobin molecule?
- AQuaternary Structure✓
- BPrimary Structure
- CSecondary Structure
- DTertiary Structure
Explanation
This is the correct answer. The quaternary structure of a protein refers to the arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains (subunits) within a protein complex.In the case of hemoglobin, it consists of four subunits: two alpha chains and two beta chains. These subunits interact to form the final, functional structure of the hemoglobin molecule.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2018, 2023, 2024
- 2Repeated in 3 yearsBiological Molecules
The attraction between water molecules and cell wall of xylem is termed as:
- ACohesion
- BTension
- CAdhesion✓
- DImbibition
Explanation
Adhesion is the tendency of dissimilar particles or surfaces to cling to one another. It's the force of attraction that causes different substances to stick together. Adhesion is the opposite of cohesion, which refers to the tendency of like particles or surfaces to stick together.Water molecules exhibit adhesion when they "stick" to other surfaces, such as the walls of a tube or the surface of a solid. Adhesion, along with cohesion, contributes to capillary action, where liquids move against gravity in narrow spaces. It also influences the behavior of liquids in containers, such as meniscus formation in a graduated cylinder.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2021, 2023, 2024
- 3Repeated in 3 yearsBiological Molecules
Starch is hydrolyzed into maltose by:
- ASalivary amylase
- BMaltose
- CPancreatic amylase
- DBoth A & C✓
Explanation
The correct answer is Option D: Both A & C. During digestion, starch is initially broken down into maltose by salivary amylase in the mouth. This process is further continued by pancreatic amylase in the small intestine. Option A, salivary amylase, alone is not sufficient as it only begins the process. Option C, pancreatic amylase, alone does not account for the initial breakdown that occurs in the mouth. Option B, maltose, is incorrect because it is the product of the reaction, not an enzyme that facilitates it.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2010, 2013, 2016
- 4Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
Which bond is the potential source of chemical energy for cellular activities?
- AC-N
- BC-O
- CC-H✓
- DH-O
Explanation
C-H is the potential source of chemical energy for cellular This option is not correct. C-N bonds are typically involved in protein synthesis and structural stability but are not known for their high energy potential.This option is also incorrect. C-O bonds are found in many organic molecules, including carbohydrates and lipids, and can store energy, but they are not as energy-rich as C-H bonds.This option is also incorrect.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2008, 2022
- 5Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
Which one of the following is an example of unsaturated fatty acid?
- AButyric Acid
- BOleic Acid✓
- CPalmitic Acid
- DAcetic Acid
Explanation
Correct answer is Oleic Acid as it is a monounsaturated fatty acid.The example of an unsaturated fatty acid among the options provided is Oleic acid.Unsaturated fatty acids are a type of fatty acid that contains one or more double bonds in their carbon chain.Butyric acid is a saturated fatty acid. It is a four-carbon chain fatty acid with no double bonds.Oleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid. It is an eighteen-carbon chain fatty acid with one double bond located between the ninth and tenth carbon atoms from the methyl (CH3) end of the chain.Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid. It is a sixteen-carbon chain fatty acid with no double bonds.Acetic acid is not a fatty acid.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2012, 2015
- 6Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
The unique three-dimensional shape of the fully folded polypeptide constitutes:
- APrimary structure of protein
- BSecondary structure of protein
- CTertiary structure of protein✓
- DQuaternary structure of protein
Explanation
Tertiary structure of protein represents the unique three-dimensional shape of the fully folded polypeptide.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2022, 2024
- 7Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
Which of the following process is involved in breakdown of protein into Amino acids?
- ACondensation
- BHydrolysis✓
- CGlycolysis
- DFixation
Explanation
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction where water is used to break down a compound, resulting in the separation of the compound into its constituent parts.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 8Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
In carbohydrates, hydrogen & oxygen are mostly in the same ratio, i.e., 2:1, which is why they are called:
- ACarbon monoxide
- BCarbon dioxide
- CHydrated carbons✓
- DTriose
Explanation
Carbohydrates are a group of organic compounds having carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, in which hydrogen and oxygen are mostly found in the same ratio as in water, i.e., 2:1, and are thus called hydrated carbons.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 9Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
Glyceraldehyde & dihydroxyacetone are example of:
- ATriose✓
- BTetrose
- CPentose
- DHexose
Explanation
Trioses are type of monosaccharides containing 3 carbon atoms. They include glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone. Hence, this option is correct.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 10Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
Lysozyme represent this basic structural level of protein is:
- APrimary structure
- BSecondary structure
- CTertiary structure✓
- DQuaternary structure
Explanation
Lysozyme has a well-defined tertiary structure, meaning its polypeptide chain folds into a specific three-dimensional shape. Because of this folded conformation, the option stating that lysozyme possesses tertiary structure is correct.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 11Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
Which of the following compounds is regarded as the precursor of many hormones like testosterone, progesterone, and estrogens?
- AWax
- BCholesterol✓
- CPhospholipids
- DAcylglycerol
Explanation
One of the most important steroids is cholesterol, a component of animal cell membranes and a precursor for the synthesis of a number of steroids and sex hormones such as testosterone, progesterone, and estrogens. Hence, this option is correct.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 12Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
A phospholipid molecule has a head and two tails. Where are the tails found?
- AAt the surface of membrane
- BIn the interior of the membrane✓
- CIn the exterior of the membrane
- DSpanning of the membrane
Explanation
The phospholipid molecule consists of two parts: hydrophobic tails and a hydrophilic head. The hydrophilic head is present on the surface of the membrane, while hydrophobic tails are present in the interior of the membrane.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 13Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
Which property of water helps to maintain the integrity of lipid membranes?
- ASpecific heat capacity
- BCohesion and adhesion
- CHydrogen bonding
- DHydrophobic exclusion✓
Explanation
The correct answer is Hydrophobic exclusion. This property is critical for the formation and stability of lipid membranes, as lipid molecules are hydrophobic and tend to exclude water. This exclusion leads to the formation of a lipid bilayer, creating a barrier between the aqueous environments inside and outside the cell. The other options, such as specific heat capacity, cohesion and adhesion, and hydrogen bonding, are important properties of water but do not directly contribute to the structural integrity of lipid membranes.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 14Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
Lactose,maltose and sucrose are the important:
- Apolysaccharides
- Bdisaccharides✓
- Cmonosaccharides
- Doligosaccharides
Explanation
Disaccharides are carbohydrates composed of two sugar units joined by a glycosidic bond. Lactose is made up of glucose and galactose, maltose is made up of two glucose molecules, and sucrose is made up of glucose and fructose.In summary, lactose, maltose, and sucrose are disaccharides, which are composed of two sugar units bonded together. Polysaccharides are more complex carbohydrates with multiple sugar units, monosaccharides are single sugar units, and oligosaccharides have a small number of sugar units, typically 3 to 10.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2005, 2009
- 15Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
Particular amino acid and tRNA molecule binds together by the action of an enzyme named;
- ARNA Polymerase
- BtRNA synthetase
- CAminocyle-tRNA synthetase✓
- DtRNA ligase
Explanation
So, when it comes to linking a specific amino acid with its corresponding tRNA molecule during protein synthesis, there's a special enzyme called aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase that does the job. It acts like a matchmaker, making sure that the right amino acid is paired with the right tRNA molecule. This process is crucial for building proteins correctly.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2019, 2020
- 16Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
Sucrose is hydrolysed into:
- ALactose and Glucose
- BLactose and Fructose
- CGlucose and fructose✓
- DGlucose and galactose
Explanation
Sucrose, also known as table sugar, is a disaccharide that is hydrolyzed into two monosaccharides: glucose and fructose.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2022, 2023
- 17Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
_ is the heat required to convert a gram of water into vapours at its boiling point.
- AHeat of vapourization✓
- BSpecific heat capacity
- CHeat of ionization
- DPolarity of water
Explanation
The heat of vaporization is the amount of heat energy required to convert a unit mass of a substance (in this case, water) from its liquid phase to its vapor phase at its boiling point. For water, the heat of vaporization is approximately 2250 kJ/kg or 540 cal/g.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2022, 2023
- 18Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
In which of the following is the organic compound COOH (carboxyl) group found? (I) Carbohydrate (II) Lipid (III) Protein
- AI only
- BII only
- CI and II only
- DII and III only✓
- EI , II and III
Explanation
Carboxyl groups are commonly found in amino acids, fatty acids, and other biomolecules. Whereas carbohydrates only contain atoms of carbon hydrogen and oxygen they don't have any functional group.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2014, 2015
- 19Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
The most abundant substance in protoplasm is:
- AProtein
- BFat
- CCarbohydrate
- DWater✓
- EMinerals
Explanation
Protoplasm is a mixture of small molecules such as ions, monosaccharides, amino acids, and macromolecules such as proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, etc.On the average protoplasm contains 84 percent water. Most of the water is present in free unbounded form and provides a medium for metabolic reactions occurring in a cell.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2014, 2015
- 20Repeated in 2 yearsBiological Molecules
The maximum water potential of pure water is:
- A-100
- B0✓
- C1
Explanation
We set the water potential of pure water to zero simply to give us a clear starting point. At standard temperature and pressure, pure water has nothing dissolved in it and nothing pressing on it, so its water molecules are as free to move as they can be. Since you cannot get a higher freedom of movement than this, it becomes the reference. Anything added, like solutes or pressure changes, only lowers that value below zero.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2022, 2023