Biology Chapter 5: Polymers and Macromolecules

Questions and Answers

To make up cell membranes

Hydrolysis

Polymerization

Dehydration Signup and view all the answers

To facilitate the reaction by lowering the energy barrier Signup and view all the answers

Depolymerization Signup and view all the answers

A new bond is formed with the removal of water Signup and view all the answers

To provide energy to the cell Signup and view all the answers

Hydrolysis Signup and view all the answers

Hydrolysis Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Polymers are large biological molecules composed of smaller molecules called monomers
Monomers are the building blocks of polymers, and different types of monomers form different classes of polymers

Polymerization is the process of forming polymers from monomers
This process is facilitated by enzymes, which speed up chemical reactions
The reaction that connects a monomer to another monomer or a polymer is a condensation reaction
In a condensation reaction, two molecules are covalently bonded to each other with the loss of a small molecule (dehydration reaction)
Examples of polymer synthesis include carbohydrate and protein polymers

The breakdown of polymers into monomers is called hydrolysis
Hydrolysis is the reverse of the dehydration reaction
A water molecule is added to break the bond between monomers, with a hydrogen from water attaching to one monomer and a hydroxyl group attaching to the other
Examples of hydrolysis include digestion, where enzymes break down polymers into monomers

The diversity of macromolecules in the living world is vast and effectively limitless
This diversity is due to the arrangement of monomers, with the linear sequence of units determining the characteristics of the polymer
Despite being constructed from a limited number of monomers, the possible variety of polymers is enormous