Biological Molecules - Lesson 1

Monomers and Polymers

Thursday 23 November 2023
You need:
1 booklet
Do Now! 1 Practical book
1 learning booklet
Complete the questions
to see how much we
remember!
This is all we will EXPLICITLY ask you to do each lesson – BUT we
will have folder checks every week to make sure that you are also
doing the activities outlined on the student guide.

You will be expected to show us what tasks/extra work you have

been doing.

We will also have weekly quizzes which you should ace if you are
keeping on top of revision and reviewing your learning!
Do Now Answers – Always mark in Green Pen
Remember to
1. What is the chemical formula for glucose? write the
2. Name 5 things plants and animals need glucose for. correct answers
if you got it
3. How do animals get glucose?
wrong – check
4. How do plants get glucose? for spelling and
5. Name 5 uses of proteins in the human body. language!
6. Which carbohydrate is found in plant cell walls?
7. Where in the human body is starch broken down?
8. What do proteases do?
9. What is the function of an emulsifier?
10. Where are the instructions for making proteins?
11. Name 2 types of chemical bonds.
Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson you should be able to:

 Explain how the biochemical basis of life is similar for all living things
 Define monomers and polymers and give examples
 Describe hydrolysis and condensation reactions
Part 1 - Explain how the biochemical basis of life is similar for all living
things

The biochemistry of life is shared across all organisms, this is

indirect evidence of evolution.

The molecules of life all contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

– they are organic.
Part 1 - Explain how the biochemical basis of life is similar for all living
things

 Carbohydrates
respiratory substrates which
provide energy for cells, also
used for structure in cell
membranes and cell walls in
plants
Part 1 - Explain how the biochemical basis of life is similar for all living
things

 Lipids

can be used as respiratory

substrates which provide energy for
cells, form a bilayer in cell
membranes and make up some
hormones.
Part 1 - Explain how the biochemical basis of life is similar for all living
things

 Proteins

main component of many

cellular structures, form
enzymes and chemical
messengers.
Part 1 - Explain how the biochemical basis of life is similar for all living
things

 Nucleic Acids

form polymers (DNA and RNA)

which make up the genetic material
of organisms. Code for the
sequence of amino acids which
make up all proteins.
Part 1 - Explain how the biochemical basis of life is similar for all living things
Part 1 - Explain how the biochemical basis of life is similar for all living things
All organisms use the same nucleic
acids as genetic material, use the
same 20 amino acids to build
proteins and use lipids and
carbohydrates as energy stores and
to make up their cell membranes
and walls.

These similarities give support for

the theory that all animals and
plants share a common ancestor.
Part 2 - Define monomers and polymers and give examples
What is a polymer?
What example do you already know?

Monomers are the smaller units from which larger

molecules are made.

Polymers are molecules made from lots of repeating units

(monomers) joined together.

Monosaccharides, amino acids and nucleotides are

examples of monomers
Part 2 - Define monomers and polymers and give examples
Examples

Carbohydrates Proteins Nucleic Acids

Monomers Monosaccharides e.g glucose, Amino acids Nucleotides
fructose, galactose
Covalent Bond Type Glycosidic bond Peptide bond Phosphodiester bond

Polymer Made Polysaccharides Polypeptide Polynucleotide

Polymer Examples Glycogen (animals only) Enzymes DNA
Cellulose (plants only) Antibodies RNA
Starch (plants only) Channel Proteins
Haemoglobin
Part 3 - Describe hydrolysis and condensation reactions

A condensation reaction joins two monomers together with the

formation of a covalent bond and involves the elimination of a
molecule of water.
(hence the term condensation as a molecule of water is produced!)
Part 3 - Describe hydrolysis and condensation reactions

A hydrolysis reaction breaks the covalent bond between two monomers and
involves the use of a water molecule.
(literally the water molecule is split to form an OH and a H group – “hydro” =
water, “lysis” = to split)
Recall questions: Answer these in your book, use the
information in your notes to help you
Normally you
1. What elements are common to all the molecules of life? will have done
2. What are the four main groups of carbon-based molecules common to all life forms? these before
3. Which molecule forms part of the plasma membrane?
the lesson and
4. Which biological molecules are required to make proteins?
5. Which two biological molecules are the main respiratory substrates?
we will go over
6. What is a polymer? them together
7. What reaction joins two monomers together? quickly!
8. Which reaction breaks down polymers?
9. What type of chemical bond is formed between monomers?
10.Why is it known as a condensation reaction?
11.Describe the process of hydrolysis
12.What type of polymer is made from monosaccharides and what bond joins them together?
13.What type of polymer is made from amino acids and what bond joins them together?
14.What type of polymer is made from nucleotides and what bond joins them together?
Always mark in Green Pen Remember to write the correct answers if you got it wrong –
check for spelling and language!
1. What elements are common to all the molecules C, O, H
of life?
2. What are the four main groups of carbon-based Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids
molecules common to all life forms?

3. Which molecule forms part of the plasma Phospholipids

membrane?

4. Which biological molecules are required to make Amino acids (and nucleic acids)
proteins?

5. Which two biological molecules are the main Lipids and Carbohydrates
respiratory substrates?

6. What is a polymer? A series of repeating units (monomers) joined together

7. What reaction joins two monomers together? Condensation reaction

8. Which reaction breaks down polymers? Hydrolysis

9. What type of chemical bond is formed between Covalent bond

monomers?

10. Why is it known as a condensation reaction? A molecule of water is produced/released

11. Describe the process of hydrolysis A water molecule is used to break a covalent bond. An H
and an OH group are joined to the monomers
Exam question practice:
Answer these in your booklet on your own!
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