Biological polymers

From Monomers to Polymers

1. Proteins
2. Nucleic Acids
3. Polysaccharides
4. Lipids

Macromolecules are made out of smaller units:

• Macromolecules are polymers, which are molecules made out of two or more repeating building blocks called monomers.

How are monomers joined together to form polymers?

• Monomers are linked together by a type of reaction called a dehydration or condensation reaction.
• In this type of reaction, a water molecule is lost and a bond is formed between the two monomers.
• The type of bond that forms between the monomers is different depending on the types of molecules involved, but the type of reaction that forms the bond is always a dehydration / condensation reaction.

How are polymers broken apart?

• Polymers are broken back down into their monomers by the opposite type of reaction, called a hydrolysis reaction.
• A hydrolysis reaction involves adding a water molecule in order to break the bond between the monomers.
• The monomers can then be recycled to form new polymers.