F324 - Polymerisation

Question 0

Name the two types of polymerisation.

Answer 0

Addition polymerisation and condensation polymerisation.

Question 1

Define condensation polymerisation.

Answer 1

It is the joining of bifunctional monomers with the elimination of the small a molecule such as water or HCl.

Question 2

There are two types of condensation polymers. Name them both and state the monomers needed to make these polymers.

Answer 2

Polyesters: requires a carboxylic acid and an alcohol; polyamides: requires two amino acids (bonding of the amine group and the carboxyl group).

Question 3

How can proteins be broken back down into amino acids?

Answer 3

The amide link/peptide bonds can be hydrolysed to reform the carboxylic acid and amine functional groups; this can be performed using aqueous strong acid or aqueous base, with heating.