GCSE Chemistry: Polymers

What is a monomer?

Small molecules that are joined together to make a polymer

What is a polymer?

long chain of monomers

What is addition polymerisation?

When lots of unsaturated monomer molecules - alkenes - open up their double bonds and join together to form polymer chains and nothing else is produced.

How can the structure of a polymer be displayed?

We can draw a single unit that repeats (n number of times)

What is condensation polymerisation?

Where monomers with two functional groups join together, usually losing small molecules such as water (which is why they are called condensation reactions)

How are polyesters made?

By reacting a dicarboxylic acid with a dialcohol(diol) to form ester linkages. Two water molecules are also produced.

How are polyamides made?

Formed by reacting diamines (-NH2) and dicarboxylic acids to form amide linkages (-CONH-). Two water molecules are also produced.

What are polymers used for?

Insulators, packaging and making containers

What are amino acids?

Molecules containing both the carboxylic acid and amine group.

How many amino acids are essential to life?

20

What are polypeptides?

The product of amino acids joint up in condensation polymerisation.

What are proteins?

polymers of amino acids

What are carbohydrates?

Biological molecules containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are polysaccharides.

What does DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) consist of?

Two polymer chains held together in a double helix.

What are polymer chains in DNA made up of?

4 monomers called nucleotides which can bond together in different sequences.

How is the double helix held together?

Groups on the side of the nucleotides hold them together. Nucleotides can form hydrogen bonds (attraction) between themselves.