Biological Molecules - Topic 1

• Monomers are repeating molecules from which larger molecules are made
• Polymers are molecules made up of many identical monomers
• A condensation reaction consists of 2 molecules joining together , forming a chemical bond and releasing a water molecule
• A hydrolysis reaction consists of 2 molecules separating, breaking a chemical bond and using a water molecule
• Monosaccharides are monomers from which larger carbohydrates are made
• Examples of monosaccharides are; glucose, fructose and galactose
• The difference between the structure of a-glucose and b-glucose is that the OH group is below carbon-1 on a-glucose and above carbon-1 in b-glucose.
• Disaccharides are 2 monomers joined together with a glyosidic bond
• Disaccharides are formed by a condensation reaction, releasing a water molecule
• Polysaccharides are many monosaccharides joined together with glyosidic bonds
• Polysaccharides are formed by many condensation reactions, releasing many water molecules