monomers and polymers

what is a monomer

a small repeating unit from which polymers are made

what is a polymer

a molecule made from a large number of monomers joined together

what is a condensation reaction

when monomers join together through forming chemical bonds to form polymers and involves the elimination of a water molecule

what is a hydrolysis reaction

when the bonds between the monomers in a polymer are hydrolysed and involves the use of a water molecule

example of a monomer and its polymer and macromolecule

amino acids

polypeptide

protein

why are carbon atoms the key to organic compounds (4)

each atom can form 4 covalent bonds making the compound very stable

they can form covalent bonds with oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur

they can bond to form straight chains, branched chains or rings

they can form chains of different lengths resulting in a wide variety of different molecules