monomers and polymers Flashcards
What is a monomer?
A smaller molecule from which larger molecules are made
What is a polymer?
A large molecule made up of a number of monomers joined together
Give three examples of monomers
Monosaccharides, amino acids, nucleotides
What type of reaction joins monomers?
Condensation reaction
What type of reaction breaks polymers into monomers?
Hydrolysis reaction
What is eliminated in a condensation reaction?
water
What is used in a hydrolysis reaction?
water
Give three examples of polymers
Cellulose, polypeptide, DNA
what is the process of adding monomers to a growing chain called and what type of reaction is involved?
the process of polymerisation involves a condensation reaction
what is the process of removing monomers from a chain and what type of reaction is involved?
depolymerisation is the process of removing monomers from a polymer chain using hydrolysis
what type of bond does a condensation reaction form between two monomers?
covalent bonds
what is polymerisation?
polymerisation is the process of adding monomers to a growing chain
what are the four major macromolecules?
proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids
what is a macromolecule?
a large organic compound made up of smaller molecules (monomers)
what is a disaccharide?
a disaccharide is a carbohydrate made up of two monomers joined in a condensation reaction
