7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers (Triple)

Question 1

What is a polymer?

Answer 1

A large molecule formed from many smaller identical molecules joined together called monomers.

Question 2

What are the monomers in addition polymerisation?

Answer 2

Alkenes

Question 3

What is the difference between monomers and polymers?

Answer 3

Monomers have double carbon-carbon bonds whilst polymers have single carbon-carbon bonds.

Question 4

How do you write a polymer’s name?

Answer 4

‘Poly’ with the monomer after it (e.g. Poly(ethene)).

Question 5

What is the relationship between the number of atoms in a monomer and the repeating unit?

Answer 5

The repeating unit has the same atoms as the monomer since no other molecule is formed.

Question 6

How and what are the three ways to showcase addition polymerisation? (3)

Answer 6

• Repeating unit = monomer in brackets w/ n
• Monomer = single unit of polymer
• Polymer = single unit joined together repeatedly

Question 7

What happens in addition polymerisation?

Answer 7

Very small molecules (monomers) join together to form very large molecules (polymers).

Question 8

What are the monomers in condensation polymerisation? (2)

Answer 8

Involved monomers with two functional groups:

• Diol
• Dioic acid

Question 9

What happens in condensation polymerisation (what are condensation reactions)?

Answer 9

The two monomers react to join together, usually losing small molecules such as water. [and so the reactions are called condensation reactions]

Question 10

What is produced during condensation polymerisation?

Answer 10

An ester, alcohol and water

Question 11

What does condensation polymerisation allow?

Answer 11

The production of long polymers, called polyesters

Question 12

How do you draw a repeating unit for condensation polymerisation? (3)

Answer 12

1) Pick any two adjacent monomer units
2) Draw them out
3) Draw the brackets and ‘n’ like in addition polymerisation (line through brackets)

Question 13

What is structure of glycine?

Answer 13

H₂NCH₂COOH

Question 14

How many functional groups do all amino acid molecules have? What are they?

Answer 14

Two;

• Amine group: NH₂
• Carboxylic acid group: COOH

Question 15

How do amino acids react? Why?

Answer 15

Through condensation polymerisation because they have two different functional groups.

Question 16

What is a polypeptide?

Answer 16

A polymer made from only one type of amino acid.

Question 17

What does glycine (H₂NCH₂COOH) produce?

Answer 17

Polypeptides ( (HNCH₂CO)_n and nH₂O)

Question 18

How are proteins formed?

Answer 18

Through the combination of different amino acids into the same chain.

Question 19

What are the naturally occurring polymers?

Answer 19

• Protein
• DNA

Question 20

What is DNA?

Answer 20

A large molecule that is essential for life [and found in all animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and most viruses].

Question 21

What does DNA do?

Answer 21

Encodes the genetic instructions that living organisms and viruses need to develop and function.

Question 22

What is the structure of DNA?

Answer 22

Double helix made of two polymer chains, which are made from four different monomers called nucleotides.

Question 23

What are the nucleotide monomers called?

Answer 23

A, T, G, C

Question 24

What makes proteins, starch and cellulose?

Answer 24

• Proteins: polymers of amino acids
• Starch and cellulose: polymers of glucose

Question 25

What is the difference between starch and cellulose structure?

Answer 25

The glucose molecules are arranged in different ways.