Topic 11 - Polymers Flashcards
What is a monomer?
A small molecule that, when polymerised, becomes part of a polymer.
What do Ethene monomers become when polymerised? What changes?
They become polyethene, and their double bond would be separated.
What is the type of polymerisation reaction that makes an alkene lose its double bond?
Addition polymerisation.
What is a polymer?
A long chain of small monomer molecules.
What is condensation polymerisation?
Where the monomer loses water as a byproduct of forming part of a polymer.
How is an ester formed?
An alcohol (with an OH functional group) reacts with a carboxylic acid (COOH) and give water as a byproduct.
How is a polyester formed?
You start with one alcohol on each end and one carboxylic acid on each end, forming a diol and a dicarboxylic acid. The monomers link together as they polymerise by “ester links” and a water molecule is given off as each link is made in the reaction.
What is the most commonly known monosaccharide?
Glucose.
What are the two equations for the polymerisation of glucose?
Glucose monomers –> Starch polymers + Water.
Glucose monomers –> Cellulose polymers + Water.
What is the equation for the polymerisation of amino acids?
Amino acids –> Polypeptide polymers + Water.
What are the four monomers in DNA?
Adenine, Guanine, Thymine, Cytosine.
What type of polymerisation reaction produces DNA?
Condensation polymerisation.
What three molecules make up DNA monomers?
A Phosphate group, a sugar and a base - these molecules are in a long chain.
What is the monomer for DNA?
Nucleotide.
What is the polymer for DNA?
DNA strand.
