Monomers and Polymers

• Monomer

  Small, single molecule, many of which can be joined together to form a polymer
• Polymer

  Large molecule made up of many similar / identical monomers joined together
• Condensation reaction

  1. Joins 2 molecules together

  2. Eliminates a water molecule

  3. Forms a chemical bond e.g. glycosidic bond
• Hydrolysis reaction

  1. Separates 2 molecules

  2. Requires addition of a water molecule

  3. Breaks a chemical bond