Polymers Flashcards
What are monomers?
Small molecules that join together to form a long chain
What is a polymer?
A very long molecule made of repeating units
What is a repeating unit?
The smallest part of a polymer that repeats itself throughout the chain
What is polymerisation?
A reaction that turns multiple monomers into polymers
What are the two types of polymerisation?
Addition and condensation
What kind of monomers are involved in addition polymerisation?
Molecules with C=C bonds such as alkenes
What kind of monomers are involved in condensation polymerisation?
Monomers with two functional groups
What other products are made in condensation polymerisation?
Water (normally)
What does n represent in an equation showing polymerisation?
A very large number
What is a natural polymer?
A polymer that is produced naturally by organisms
Give four examples of natural polymers
Polypeptides, starch, cellulose, DNA
What are amino acids?
The building blocks of polypeptides and proteins, which have an amine and a carboxylic acid group
What is a polypeptide?
A polymer made from many amino acids
What is a protein?
A polymer made from amino acids
Which monomer makes up starch and cellulose?
Glucose
