Question

station 3: forming monomers and polymers
watch the video linked on the station card and answer the questions below.

1. list the monomers and polymers of the following organic molecules.

a. protein

• monomer:
• polymer:

b. carbohydrate

• monomer:
• polymer:

1. how do biological polymers form?
2. write what the following chemical symbols stand for.

a. h;
b. oh;
c. h₂o;

1. what occurs during dehydration synthesis?
2. what is the goal of hydrolysis?
3. what is needed for hydrolysis to take place?
4. in your own words, explain the differences between dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis.

Explanation:

• 15a: Proteins are made of amino acids (monomer) and can form various proteins like enzymes (polymer).
• 15b: Carbohydrates have monosaccharides (e.g., glucose, monomer) and can form polysaccharides like starch (polymer).
• 16: Biological polymers form via dehydration synthesis where monomers bond, losing water.
• 17a: H stands for hydrogen atom.
• 17b: OH is a hydroxyl group.
• 17c: H₂O is water.
• 18: During dehydration synthesis, monomers combine, releasing water to form polymers.
• 19: The goal of hydrolysis is to break polymers into monomers.
• 20: Hydrolysis needs water and often enzymes.
• 21: Dehydration synthesis builds polymers (loses water); hydrolysis breaks polymers (uses water).

Answer:

15a.

• Monomer: Amino acid
• Polymer: Protein (e.g., enzyme)

15b.

• Monomer: Monosaccharide (e.g., glucose)
• Polymer: Polysaccharide (e.g., starch)

1. Biological polymers form through dehydration synthesis (monomers bond, losing water).

17a. Hydrogen atom
17b. Hydroxyl group
17c. Water

1. Monomers combine, releasing water to form polymers.
2. To break polymers into monomers.
3. Water and often enzymes.
4. Dehydration synthesis builds polymers (loses water); hydrolysis breaks polymers (uses water).