monomers and polymers

Monomer

The smaller units from which larger molecules are made

Polymer

Molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together

Condensation reaction

A reaction that joins two molecules together

with the formation of a chemical bond

involves the elimination of a molecule of water

Hydrolysis reaction

A reaction that breaks a chemical bond

between two molecules

involves the use of a water molecule

Monosaccharide (monomers)

The monomers from which larger

carbohydrates are made

e.g. glucose, fructose, galactose

Disaccharide (dimers)

Formed by the condensation of two

monosaccharides

held together by a glycosidic bond

e.g. maltose, sucrose, lactose

Polysaccharide (polymers)

Formed by the condensation of

many glucose units

held by glycosidic bonds

e.g. starch, glycogen, cellulose

Glucose

C6 H12 O6: molecular formula

Monosaccharide that exists as two

isomers

α glucose and β glucose

Isomer

Molecules with the same molecular

formula

but the atoms are arranged

differently

Galactose

An example of a monosaccharide

that forms lactose

Fructose

An example of a monosaccharide

that forms sucrose