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CAIE A-Level Biology AS 2.2 Carbohydrates and Lipids Questions

Practise CAIE AS Biology 2.2 by linking carbohydrate and lipid structures to their bonds, properties and biological functions.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Biology 9700
Level
AS

Exam points

  • Distinguish α- and β-glucose by C1 hydroxyl orientation; use monomer and polymer terms accurately.
  • Identify reducing sugars and explain hydrolysis of non-reducing sucrose before testing for its sugars.
  • Explain how condensation forms glycosidic bonds between monosaccharides and how hydrolysis breaks those bonds.
  • Relate starch and glycogen branching to compact energy storage, and cellulose chains to strong structural fibres.
  • Describe triglycerides as glycerol joined to three fatty acids by ester bonds; relate hydrophobicity and fatty-acid composition to storage.
  • Describe phospholipid hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails and how they form membrane bilayers.

Covered syllabus points

2.2.1—α-glucose and β-glucose rings2.2.2—Biological molecule terminology2.2.3—Role of covalent bonds in forming polymers2.2.4—Reducing and non-reducing sugars2.2.5—Glycosidic bonds2.2.6—Molecular structure of polysaccharides2.2.7—Triglycerides2.2.8—Phospholipids

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Which structure shows α\alpha-glucose?

A
Figure for Question 1 — CAIE A-Level Biology AS — Option A
B
Figure for Question 1 — CAIE A-Level Biology AS — Option B
C
Figure for Question 1 — CAIE A-Level Biology AS — Option C
D
Figure for Question 1 — CAIE A-Level Biology AS — Option D

Question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

Which polymers are present in all viruses, all prokaryotes and all eukaryotes?

1 polynucleotides
2 polypeptides
3 polysaccharides

A

1, 2 and 3

B

1 and 2 only

C

1 and 3 only

D

2 and 3 only

Question 3

[Maximum number: 1]

Which row shows the monomer and type of bond that form the polymer?

monomer

type of bond

polymer

α\alpha-glucose

1,4 only

starch

α\alpha-glucose

1,4 and 1,6

amylopectin

β\beta-glucose

1,4 only

glycogen

β\beta-glucose

1,4 and 1,6

cellulose

Question 4

[Maximum number: 1]

A student used Benedict's solution to test a sample known to contain carbohydrate.
At the end of the test the solution was blue.

Which carbohydrate could be present in the sample?

A

glucose

B

fructose

C

maltose

D

sucrose

Question 5

[Maximum number: 1]

What cannot occur as a result of a condensation reaction?

A

breaking of a glycosidic bond

B

formation of a disaccharide

C

joining together of two amino acids

D

production of a molecule of water

Question 6

[Maximum number: 1]

Which statements describe features of cellulose that adapt it for its function in plant cells?
1 Three cellulose molecules coil around each other to form a triple helix structure.
2 Many hydrogen bonds form between adjacent cellulose molecules.
3 Covalent bonds form between adjacent cellulose molecules.

A

1, 2 and 3

B

1 and 3 only

C

2 and 3 only

D

2 only

Question 7

[Maximum number: 1]

The table shows the number of carbon atoms and the number of carbon-carbon double bonds in molecules of three triglycerides and the fatty acids they contain.

The information is shown in the format 'number of carbon atoms:number of carbon-carbon double bonds'.

Table for Question 7 — CAIE A-Level Biology AS

Which description matches fatty acid 2 of the 56: 4 triglyceride, identified in the table as X ?

A

saturated with 17 carbon atoms

B

saturated with 18 carbon atoms

C

unsaturated with 17 carbon atoms

D

unsaturated with 18 carbon atoms

Question 8

[Maximum number: 1]

Which statement about phospholipid molecules is correct?

A

They contain one saturated fatty acid and two unsaturated fatty acids.

B

They contain three phosphodiester bonds.

C

They contain hydrophobic regions and hydrophilic regions.

D

They contain a hydrophobic phosphate group that is soluble in water.

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