SACURAT, NORJANE KYLA E.

1CpE-A

POST TEST
1. Define the following: monomer, polymer, homopolymer, copolymer
MONOMER is a tiny molecule which can link together chemically with several
molecules of the same type to produce a larger molecule known as a polymer.
A POLYMER is a chemical substance made up of molecules bound together in long
repeating chains that have a unique pattern and a variety of uses, and a high molar
mass.
A HOMOPOLYMER is a polymer made up of monomer units that are all identical
COPOLYMER a polymer made up of several different monomers

2. Name 10 objects that contain synthetic organic polymer.

• Stocking
• Parachutes
• Fishnet
• clear food wrap
• automobile fuel tanks
• jackets
• bedspreads
• non-stick pots and pans
• waterproof clothing
• flooring

3. When fruits such as apples and pears are cut, the exposed parts begin to turn
brown. This is the result of oxidation reaction catalyzed by enzymes present in
the fruit. Often the browning action can be prevented or slowed by adding a few
drops of lemon juice to exposed areas. What is chemical basis for this?
The compound polyphenol oxidase in the apple is activated by oxygen, causing
the fruit to turn brown. The enzyme is polyphenol oxidase. ENZYNATIC is the term for
when oxygen reacts with fruit to turn it brown. Enzymatic browning a chemical reaction
that occurs when the enzyme polyphenol oxidase inside of the fruit/vegetable comes
in contact with oxygen.
The enzyme polyphenol oxidase is pH dependent. Lemon juice has a pH of 2.0 to
2.5. A lower pH indicates that the substance is acidic. To avoid browning, the acid in
lemon juice inactivates polyphenol oxidase.
SACURAT, NORJANE KYLA E.
1CpE-A

4. Differentiate between rubbers and plastics on the basis of intermolecular forces.

Intermolecular forces are determined by the structure and enlightenment of the
molecules.
RUBBER is a linear polymer of isoprene with elastic characteristics. Rubber does not
handle easily (it's sticky), nor does it have very good properties or durability (it rots). M-
polyisoprene molecules are made up of chains linked together by weak van der Waals
interactions.
PLASTICS are organic polymers that are either synthetic or semi-synthetic and have
intermediate intermolecular forces of attraction.
As a result, rubber molecules have van der Waal forces, whereas plastic molecules
have intermediate intermolecular forces of attraction.
5. Discuss fully the natural polymers and give at least three examples for each
Natural polymers can be extracted from nature. Polymers that are obtained naturally are
known as natural polymers. The procedure of addition polymerization or condensation
polymerization is used to create these polymers.
Example of Natural Polymers:
• Proteins and Polypeptides (Insulin, glutathione, dystrophin)
• Collagen (it's found in large amounts in chicken and pork skin, bone broth)
• Latex (vulcanized rubber, latex gloves, latex clothing)
• Cellulose (cotton, paper, building materials)
• Starch (barley, rye, taro)

6. Discuss fully the synthetic polymers and give at least three examples for each
Synthetic polymers are sometimes referred as “plastics”, of which the well-known ones
are nylon and polyethylene. Addition polymers, also known as chain-growth polymers,
are polymers that are produced by connecting monomer units without changing the
substance. All of these polymers are claimed to be synthetic.
• Nylon (string, bags, bearings)
• Polyvinyl Chloride (telecom wiring, roofing, pipes)
• Low-Density Polyethylene (floor tiles, garbage bin liners, squeezable bottles)
• Polypropylene (film, foam, tape)

7. What is the role of polymers in the DNA? Explain your answer.

DNA is a polymer made from four different monomers, called nucleotides. These join in
different combinations to make long strands. DNA consists of two long polymers (called
strands) that run in opposite directions and form the regular geometry of the double helix.