Polymerization: Monomers and Polymers Quiz

A polymer is a large molecule made of small reactive molecules when joined together. This is because polymers are formed through a process called polymerization, where monomers (small reactive molecules) are chemically bonded together to form long chains or networks. Poly-ethene and poly-propene are both examples of polymers, as they are made up of repeating units of ethene and propene monomers respectively. Propene, on the other hand, is a single monomer and not a polymer.

A single unit or molecule is called a monomer. Monomers are the building blocks of larger molecules called polymers, which are formed when multiple monomers are chemically bonded together. Examples of monomers include amino acids, which are the monomers of proteins, and nucleotides, which are the monomers of nucleic acids.

DNA is composed of repeating units called nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of a sugar molecule (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine). These nucleotides are linked together through phosphodiester bonds to form a long chain, which makes up the structure of DNA. Therefore, the correct answer is nucleotides.

Amino acids are the smaller subunits that make up proteins. Proteins are composed of long chains of amino acids that are linked together by peptide bonds. These amino acids have specific properties and structures that determine the function and shape of the protein they form. Each protein is made up of a unique sequence of amino acids, and the specific arrangement of these subunits allows proteins to carry out their specific roles in the body. Fatty acids, nucleic acids, and nucleotides are not the subunits that make up proteins.

Hydrolysis is the correct answer because it is a chemical reaction that breaks polymers into monomers by adding water molecules. In this reaction, the water molecules break the bonds between the monomers, resulting in the separation of the polymer into its individual building blocks. This process is commonly observed in the digestion of food, where large polymers such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are broken down into smaller monomers that can be absorbed and utilized by the body.

Alkenes can join together because they have a double bond. The double bond consists of two carbon atoms sharing four electrons, creating a strong bond. This double bond allows alkenes to undergo a process called polymerization, where multiple alkene molecules can join together to form a larger molecule known as a polymer. The double bond is essential for this process as it provides the necessary reactivity for the alkenes to bond and form a chain-like structure.

Covalent bonds are formed when two atoms share electrons. In the context of joining monomers together, covalent bonds are the most common type of bond. Monomers are small molecules that can join together to form larger molecules through covalent bonds. This allows for the formation of polymers, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. Ionic and metallic bonds are not typically involved in joining monomers together. Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons between atoms, while metallic bonds involve the sharing of a "sea" of electrons among a network of metal atoms.

In the given chemical reaction, starch and water are the reactants, and the product is glucose. Starch is a complex carbohydrate made up of many glucose molecules bonded together. When starch is combined with water, it undergoes hydrolysis, breaking down into individual glucose molecules. Therefore, the correct answer is "Glucose."

Starch is a complex carbohydrate made up of glucose monomers. Glucose is the main monomer found in starch, which is a polysaccharide. Nucleic acids, glycogen, and sucrose are not monomers found in starch. Nucleic acids are the building blocks of DNA and RNA, glycogen is a storage form of glucose in animals, and sucrose is a disaccharide made up of glucose and fructose.

The given chemical reaction is illustrating hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction in which a compound is broken down by the addition of water. In this reaction, starch is broken down into glucose molecules by the addition of water. This process is commonly found in the digestion of carbohydrates in our body, where complex carbohydrates like starch are broken down into simpler sugars like glucose for energy production.