3.1.1 - MONOMERS AND POLYMERS

Question 1

describe the chemical reactions involved in the conversion of polymers to monomers and monomers to polymers.

give two named examples of polymers and their associated monomers to explain your answer. (5)

Answer 1

1. a condensation reaction joins monomers together and forms a chemical bond and releases water.
2. a hydrolysis reaction breaks a chemical bond between monomers and uses water.
3. the polymer starch is formed by when alpha-glucose molecules are joined together in a condensation reaction, this forms glycosidic bonds.
4. DNA is a polynucleotide, when a hydrolysis reaction occurs the phosphodiester bonds between the nucleotides are broken.

Question 2

what is a monomer (1)

Answer 2

a monomer is a small, repeating units/molecules from which larger molecules (polymers) are made.

Question 3

what is a polymer (1)

Answer 3

a large molecule that is made up of small repeating units joined together by chemical bonds.