Biology Monomers and Polymers Quiz

Study Notes

Monomers and Polymers

Monomers are small units like monosaccharides (e.g., glucose), amino acids, and nucleotides.
Polymers are formed by multiple monomers connected through chemical bonds.
A condensation reaction eliminates a water molecule to join monomers.
Hydrolysis adds water to break chemical bonds between molecules.

Carbohydrates

Composed solely of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; consist of long chains of sugar units known as saccharides.
Monosaccharides are single sugar units; disaccharides consist of two monosaccharides.
Polysaccharides are formed by combining multiple monosaccharides through glycosidic bonds in a condensation reaction.

Monosaccharides

Glucose, a primary monosaccharide, contains six carbon atoms and is essential for respiration.
Has two isomers: alpha and beta glucose.
Other common monosaccharides include galactose and fructose, characterized by sweetness and solubility.
The general formula for monosaccharides is (C_nH_{2n}O_n) where n ranges from three to seven.

Disaccharides

Formed from two monosaccharides via a condensation reaction that produces water.
Example: The combination of two alpha glucose molecules creates maltose through the formation of a 1,4 glycosidic bond.
Process involves the removal of hydroxyl (OH) groups and produces a water molecule in the reaction.

Description

Test your knowledge on monomers and polymers in biology. This quiz covers concepts such as condensation and hydrolysis reactions, along with examples of various monomers like amino acids and nucleotides. See how well you understand the building blocks of larger molecules.