monomers and polymers

All life on earth shares a common chemistry, what does this provide?

Indirect evidence for evolution

Explain how the common chemistry provides evidence for evolution

The biochemical basis of life is similar of all living things - cells of all living organisms contain only a few groups of carbon based compounds that interact in similar ways despite their extensive variety

Define monomers

Smaller units from which larger molecules are made

What are polymers?

Molecules made from a large number of similar monomers joined together

Give some examples of monomers

• Monosaccharides

• Amino acids

• Nucleotides

What does a condensation reaction do?

Joins two molecules together with the formation of a chemical bond and involves the elimination of a molecule of water

* larger molecules from simpler ones (anabolic)

What does a hydrolysis reaction do?

Breaks a chemical bond between two molecules and involves the use of a water molecule

* smaller molecules from larger ones (catabolic)