Making and Breaking Polymers - Hydrolysis Reactions

In This A-Level Biology Lesson “Making and Breaking Polymers” you will be introduced to important core biological concept of hydrolysis reactions. It is essential that you know this topic inside-out as it always comes up in exams!

Polymers are broken down (Hydrolysed) in a process called Hydrolysis.

Hydrolysis reactions are the exact opposite of condensation reactions, i.e. a water molecule (H2O) is utilised to “split” the covalent bond linking the monomers. The Hydrogen and the OH (Hydroxyl group) are added back to their respective monomers… (they are put back to where they were taken from!)

Can you write the definition of a monomer?

“The single unit from which a polymer is made. Monomers join together to form long complex polymers, such as polysaccharides, polypeptides and nucleic acids”.

Can you write the definition of a polymer?

“A long complex molecule composed of many repeating monomers”

What are the four biological molecules you have to know throughout your A-Level Biology?

...Can you state them and their monomers?

What elements make up Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates contain the elements Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen.

The Carbohydrate 'group' includes: -

1. Monosaccharides (monomers)

2. Disaccharides (Dimers)  and

3. Polysaccharides (polymers).