Question

1. define the following terms:

a. monomer
b. polymer
c. dehydration synthesis
d. hydrolysis

Explanation:

• a. Monomer: A monomer is a small molecule that can bond with other identical or similar molecules to form a polymer. For example, glucose is a monomer that can form starch (a polymer).
• b. Polymer: A polymer is a large molecule composed of many repeating subunits (monomers). Proteins are polymers made up of amino - acid monomers.
• c. Dehydration synthesis: Dehydration synthesis is a chemical reaction in which two molecules are joined together, and a water molecule is removed. For instance, when two glucose molecules form maltose, a dehydration synthesis reaction occurs.
• d. Hydrolysis: Hydrolysis is the opposite of dehydration synthesis. It is a reaction where a polymer is broken down into its monomer units by the addition of water. Starch is broken down into glucose through hydrolysis in the digestive system.

Answer:

a. A small molecule that can form polymers.
b. A large molecule made of monomers.
c. Reaction joining molecules with water removal.
d. Reaction breaking polymers with water addition.