02_03 Polymers and Proteins

Polymer

a large molecule assembled from many smaller molecules linked together

Monomer

a smaller molecule linked to many other small molecules to form a polymer

Dehydration synthesis

the common chemical reaction used to link monomers into polymers

Hydrolysis

the common chemical reaction used to break polymers up into their individual monomers

Protein

A class of biomacromolecules that are polymers of amino acids; most enzymes that direct the chemistry of a cell are proteins

Amino Acid

the monomer that is used to build proteins; 20 common types

Natured

a protein in its properly folded state

Denatured

a protein in an unfolded and hence non-functional state

Peptide Bond

the covalent bond specifically between amino acids in the polymer that is a protein

Polypeptide

another name for a protein

Enzymes

a protein that acts as a catalyst in a chemical reaction