1. Polymers and Monomers 21/11/2018 Learning Outcomes
Explain what a monomer and a polymer are
Identify some biological polymers, and the monomer from which they are made
Explain the concept of condensation and hydrolysis reactions in forming/breaking down polymers

3. GCSE Recap What is a polymer? Use the word ‘monomer’ in your answer.
What monomer makes up proteins?
What is the function of DNA?
Which elements are present in a carbohydrate?
In the body, which process breaks down polymers into monomers?

4. Definitions
Monomers are the smaller units from which larger molecules are made.
Polymers are molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together.
Learning Outcomes
Explain what a monomer and polymer are

5. Amino Acids
Proteins contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen (and sometimes sulphur).
Amino acids are the monomers from which proteins (polymers) are formed.
There are 20 different, commonly occurring amino acids in living organisms.
Two amino acids join together to form a dipeptide.
Many amino acids join together to form a polypeptide.
A protein may consist of one or more polypeptides.
Amino Group
Carboxylic Group
Learning Outcomes
Identify some biological polymers, and the monomer from which they are made

6. Nucleotides
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) are nucleic acids.
The nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides.
Each nucleotide is made up of the following three molecules:
A five carbon sugar (pentose);
A phosphoric acid molecule;
A nitrogen-containing organic base.
Learning Outcomes
Identify some biological polymers, and the monomer from which they are made

7. DNA and RNA
DNA consist of two polynucleotide strands whereas RNA consists of a single polynucleotide strand.
Learning Outcomes
Identify some biological polymers, and the monomer from which they are made

8. CArbohydrates
Carbohydrates contain the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Carbohydrates can be classified into three groups: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.
Monosaccharides and disaccharides are small, soluble molecules that are easy to transport and are sweet to taste.
Learning Outcomes
Identify some biological polymers, and the monomer from which they are made

9. Monosaccharides
Polysaccharides are a large number of polymers made from monosaccharide monomers.
The polysaccharides cellulose, starch and glycogen are polymers of glucose, and are formed by joining many glucose molecules together.
These polysaccharides differ in the number and arrangement of the glucose molecules they contain.
They are not sweet to taste and are relatively insoluble in water.
Learning Outcomes
Identify some biological polymers, and the monomer from which they are made

10. POLYsaccharides (Carbohydrate polymers)
Starch (amylose and amylopectin)
Glycogen (shorter amylose chains with more branching)
Cellulose (beta-glucose)
Learning Outcomes
Identify some biological polymers, and the monomer from which they are made

11. Two forms of Glucose

12. Condensation and Hydrolysis

13. Past paper question

14. To finish:
Write out generalised word equations to summarise the hydrolysis and condensation reactions for:
Carbohydrates
Nucleic acids
Peptides
Extension: Look at the general structure of an amino acid. Draw a diagram to show how two amino acids could be joined together to form a dipeptide.