molecules of life

• What is a polymer?

  large complex molecules made of chain of monomers
• what is a monomer?

  small, basic molecular unit which can form a polymer
• what are some examples of a monomer

  monosaccharides, amino acids and nucleotides
• how do you make a polymer from a monomer

  condensation reaction - forms chemical bond between monomers, releasing a molecule of water
• how do you break a polymer

  hydrolysis reaction - breaking chemical bond between monomers using a water molecule