Biological Molecules: Reactions

Question 1

A covalent bond is the sharing of two or more electrons between two atoms

Answer 1

The electrons can be shared equally forming a nonpolar covalent bond or unequally (where an atom can be more electronegative attraction for atom as electrons are shared δ-) to form a polar covalent bond

Question 2

Generally each atom will form a certain number of covalent bonds due to the number

Answer 2

of free electrons in the outer orbital e.g. H = 1 bond, C = 4 bonds
Covalent bonds are very stable as high energies are required to break the bonds

Multiple pairs of electrons can be shared forming double bonds (e.g. unsaturated fats C=C) or triple bonds

Question 3

When two monomers are close enough that their outer orbitals overlap this results in their electrons being shared and a covalent bond forming. If more monomers are added then ……… occurs

Answer 3

polymerisation occurs (and / or a macromolecule forms)