7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers

• What is addition polymerisation?

  • Alkenes are used to make polymers like poly(ethene) and poly(propene).
  • Many small molecules (monomers) join to create large molecules (polymers).
  • The repeat unit has the same atoms as the monomer.
• What are examples of polymers made through addition polymerisation?

  Poly(ethene) and poly(propene)

  
• What must be included when drawing a polymer structure?

  Draw the bonds coming off the carbon atoms and include a small 'n'
• What is condensation polymerisation?

  • Involves monomers with two functional groups.
  • Monomers join together, usually losing small molecules like water.
  • Simplest polymers are produced from two different monomers with the same functional groups.
• What type of small molecules are usually lost during condensation polymerisation?

  Water
• What functional groups are present in amino acids?

  An amine group and a carboxylic acid group
• How do amino acids react to form polypeptides?

  • They react by condensation polymerisation.
  • This process is similar to the formation of polyesters.
  • Different amino acids can be combined in the same chain to produce proteins.
• What is the role of DNA in living organisms?

  It encodes genetic instructions for development and functioning
• What is the structure of DNA?

  • DNA is a large molecule made of two polymer chains.
  • It is formed from four different monomers called nucleotides.
  • The structure is in the form of a double helix.
• What are other naturally occurring polymers important for life?

  • Proteins (monomer = amino acid)
  • Starch (monomer = glucose)
  • Cellulose (monomer = glucose)