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.
• Why does the repeat unit in addition polymerisation have the same atoms as the monomer?

  Because no other molecule is formed in the reaction
• When drawing a polymer, what should you remember to include?

  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 two of the same functional groups.
• What do monomers lose during condensation polymerisation?

  Small molecules such as water
• What types of functional groups are involved in the simplest polymers produced by condensation polymerisation?

  Two of the same functional groups on each monomer
• What are amino acids and how do they react?

  • Amino acids have an amine group and a carboxylic acid group.
  • They react by condensation polymerisation to produce polypeptides.
  • Different amino acids can combine in the same chain to produce proteins.
• What are the two functional groups present in amino acids?

  An amine group and a carboxylic acid group
• What do polypeptides produce when different amino acids combine?

  Proteins
• What is DNA and its significance?

  • DNA is a large molecule essential for life.
  • It encodes genetic instructions for development and functioning of living organisms and viruses.
  • Most DNA molecules consist of two polymer chains.
• What are the monomers that make up DNA?

  Nucleotides
• What structure do DNA molecules form?

  A double helix
• What are other naturally occurring polymers important for life?

  • Proteins (monomer = amino acid)
  • Starch (monomer = glucose)
  • Cellulose (monomer = glucose)
• What is the monomer of starch?

  Glucose
• What is the monomer of cellulose?

  Glucose
• What is the monomer of proteins?

  Amino acid