1.1 Monomers and polymers

What are monomers?

• Monomers are smaller, repeating molecules / units from which larger molecules are made.

What are polymers?

• Polymers are molecules made from many (a large number of) identical or similar monomer molecules.

What are the three key examples of biological monomers and their corresponding polymers?

• Nucleotide → Polynucleotide (DNA or RNA)

• Monosaccharide (e.g., glucose) → Polysaccharide (e.g., starch)

• Amino acid → Polypeptide (protein)

What is a condensation reaction?

• It is a reaction where two molecules join together.

• A chemical bond is formed between them.

• A water molecule is released.

What is a hydrolysis reaction?

• It is a reaction where two molecules are separated.

• A chemical bond is broken between them.

• A water molecule is used.

Describe how polymers are formed from and broken down into monomers.

• Polymers are formed from monomers via condensation reactions, which release a water molecule.

• Polymers are broken down into monomers via hydrolysis reactions, which use a water molecule.

• This applies to forming polynucleotides from nucleotides, polysaccharides from monosaccharides, and polypeptides from amino acids.