3.1.1 — Monomers and Polymers

Question 1

What are monomers?

Answer 1

Monomers are the smaller units from which larger molecules are made.

Question 2

What are polymers?

Answer 2

Polymers are molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together.

Question 3

Examples of monomers?

Answer 3

Monosaccharides
Amino Acids
Nucleotides

Question 4

What reaction joins polymers together?

Answer 4

Condensation
Forms a chemical bond
Involves release / elimination of a molecule of water

Question 5

What reaction breaks polymers apart?

Answer 5

Hydrolysis reaction
Breaks chemical bond
Use of a water molecule

Question 6

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 illustrate your answer.

Answer 6

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. A suitable example of polymers and the monomers from which they are made;
   e.g. Alpha Glucose & Starch/Glycogen
   Beta Glucose & Cellulose
   Amino acid & polypeptide, protein, enzyme, antibody
   Nucleotide & polynucleotide, DNA, RNA
4. A second example.
5. Reference to a correct bond within a named polymer