1.1 Monomers and Polymers

• A monomer is a single unit and many form a polymer
• A polymer is many similar or identical monomers bonded together by covalent bonds.
• Starch

  monomer- alpha glucose

  bond- glycosidic

  function- energy storage for plants
• Cellulose

  monomer- beta glucose

  bond- glycosidic

  function- structural, plant cell wall
• Protein

  monomer- amino acid

  bond- peptide bond

  function- transport, enzymes
• DNA

  monomer- nucleotide

  bond- phosphodiester

  function- hereditary material
• RNA

  monomer- nucleotide

  bond- phosphodiester

  function- proteinsynthesis
• condensation reaction- the formation of a covalent bond between two monomers with the release of a water molecule
• hydrolysis reaction- the breakage of a covalent bond between two monomers with the addition of a water molecule