1.1 Monomers and Polymers

Question 1

What are the 4 key biological molecules?

Answer 1

1. Carbohydrates
2. Proteins
3. Lipids
4. Nucleic acids

Question 2

What are the chemical elements that can be found in the 4 biological molecules?

Answer 2

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen
(some also contain phosphorus or sulphur)

Question 3

What is metabolism?

Answer 3

The sum total of all the biochemical reactions taking place in the cells of an organism.

Question 4

What is the difference between catabolic and anabolic reactions?

Answer 4

Catabolic - breaking larger molecules into smaller one
Anabolic - joining smaller molecules into larger ones

Question 5

What are monomers?

Answer 5

Single small molecules
(mono means a single unit)

Question 6

What are polymers?

Answer 6

A large molecule made up of many similar monomers covalently bonded together
(‘poly’ means multiple)

Question 7

Name the monomers and polymers for each biological molecule

Answer 7

Question 8

Describe a condensation reaction

Answer 8

• A new covalent bond is formed
• A water molecule is released
• A larger molecule is formed by joining smaller molecules

Question 9

Describe a hydrolysis reaction

Answer 9

• A covalent bond is broken
• A water molecule is used
• Smaller molecules are formed
  hydro= water, lysis= splitting