Macromolecules and Polymers

Question 1

what are macromolecules (with 3 examples) and how do they relate to polymers?

Answer 1

complex molecules with a relatively large molecular mass
e.g. carbohydrates,proteins, lipids

polymers are groups of macromolecules

Question 2

what are polymers? Give an example

Answer 2

polymers are large, complex molecules composed of long chains of monomers joined together.

e.g. most carbohydrates and all proteins

Question 3

what are monomers?

Answer 3

small, basic molecular units

e.g. monosaccharide and amino acids

Question 4

what is a condensation reaction and what does it form?

Answer 4

a condensation reaction forms a chemical bond between monomers, forming a biological polymer and releasing a molecule of water

monomer —> polymer + h2O

Question 5

what is a hydrolysis reaction?

Answer 5

it breaks down biological polymers into monomers by breaking the chemical bond between monomers using a water molecule.

polymer —> monomer + monomer…