bio molecules

• Monomers


  Smaller units from which larger molecules are made
• Polymers


  Molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together
• organic compounds


  compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen
• What are macromolecules?


  Very large molecules that contain 1000 or more atoms and so have a high molecular mass.
• Condensation reaction


  Occurs when monomers combine together by covalent bonds to form polymers (polymerisation) or macromolecules (lipids) and water is removed.
• Hydrolysis


  In hydrolysis of polymers, covalent bonds are broken when water is added.
• Catabolic reaction


  Involves breakdown of complex molecules into simpler products. Eg. Hydrolysis
• Anabolic reaction


  Reactions involves the building of more complex molecules from a simpler ones. Eg. Condensation.
• What is activation energy?


  The amount of energy needed by the substrate to become just unstable enough for a reaction to occur and products to be formed.
• What is a buffer solution


  A system that minimises pH changes when small amounts of an acid or a base are added.
• Uncertainty


  The amount by which a given result may differ from the true value. (Eg. Ruler measuring 1cm - +/- 0.5cm