3.1.1 Monomers and polymers

What are the key biological molecules?

• carbohydrates

• proteins

• lipids

• nucleic acid

What elements exist in the key biological molecules?

• hydrogen

• carbon

• oxygen

• nitrogen

• sulphur (some)

• phosphorus (some)

What are monomers?

the smaller units from which larger molecules are made

What are polymers?

molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together

Give 3 examples of monomers

• monosaccharides

• amino acids

• nucleotides

Give 3 examples of polymers

• polysaccharides

• polypeptides and proteins

• DNA and RNA

What is metabolism?

the sum of all the biochemical reactions taking place in the cells of an organism

Give 2 types of metabolic reactions

• catabolic

• anabolic

What are catabolic reactions?

reactions that involve breaking larger molecules into smaller ones

What are anabolic reactions?

reactions that involve joining smaller molecules into larger ones

What are condensation reactions?

a reaction that joins two molecules together with the formation of a chemical bond

What type of reactions are condensation reactions?

anabolic

What is formed in a condensation reaction?

covalent bond

What is released in a condensation reaction?

water molecule

What is a hydrolysis reaction?

splits larger molecules into smaller ones

What type of reaction is a hydrolysis reaction?

catabolic

What is broken in a hydrolysis reaction?

covalent bond between 2 molecules

What is used in a hydrolysis reaction?

a water molecule