Monomers and polymers

• Monomers


  Small, basic molecular units that can form a polymer
• Polymers


  Large, complex molecules composed of long chains of monomers
• Examples of polymers


  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Nucleic acids
• Examples of monomers


  • Monosaccharides
  • Amino acids
  • Nucleotides
• Condensation reaction


  1. Forms a chemical bond between 2 monomers, releasing a molecule of water

  2. Makes polymers
• Hydrolysis reaction


  1. Breaks the chemical bond between monomers, using a molecule of water

  2. Breaks down polymers
• Monosaccharides


  Carbohydrate monomers
• Carbohydrates contain H and O
• Glucose


  A hexose (6 carbon) monosaccharide
• Monosaccharides


  • Glucose
  • Fructose
  • Galactose