1. Molecules of Life Flashcards
Define monomer.
Small basic molecular units that can form a polymer.
Define polymer.
Large, complex molecules composed of long chains of monomers joined together.
Give 3 examples of monomers.
Amino acids.
Monosaccharides.
Nucleotides.
Give 2 examples of polymers.
Protein.
Plastics.
Describe how polymers are made through condensation reaction?
Where molecules join together.
A chemical bond between monomers that then form polymers.
Losing small molecules as by products like water/methanol.
Describe how polymers are broken down?
By hydrolysis which means ‘to split water’
It breaks the chemical bond between monomers using a water molecules.
Breaking polymers down into monomers.
What is the theory of evolution?
That all organisms on Earth are descended from one or a few common ancestors.
Changed and diversified over time.
How have different organisms on Earth shared some of the same biochemistry?
They all contain the same group of carbon-based compounds that interact in similar ways.
eg use the same amino acids to build proteins.
What 3 things are mostly polymers?
Carbohydrates.
Proteins.
Nucleic acids.
How are most biological polymers formed?
From their monomers by condensation.
How are most biological polymers broken down?
They are broken down into monomers by hydrolysis reactions.
What is the difference between a condensation reaction and a hydrolysis reaction?
A condensation reaction removes one molecules of water.
But
A hydrolysis reaction adds a molecule of water.
