Table of Contents
- 1 What do polymers break down into?
- 2 What reaction breaks apart?
- 3 What reaction builds polymers?
- 4 What is it called when molecules break apart?
- 5 How are polymers formed?
- 6 What is the process by which polymers are broken down?
- 7 What happens when monomers combine to form a polymer?
- 8 What are some of the problems with polymers?
What do polymers break down into?
monomers
Polymers are broken down into monomers via hydrolysis reactions, in which a bond is broken, or lysed, by addition of a water molecule.
What reaction breaks apart?
Explanation: Decomposition reactions are the separation of a chemical compound into elements or simpler compounds.
When polymers are broken down what are the monomers used for?
When polymers are broken down into monomers, the body uses those monomers for a number of activities. Some of them include protein construction and respiration. The process of polymers breaking down to monomers is called hydrolysis.
What reaction builds polymers?
A dehydration reaction builds polymers from monomers.
What is it called when molecules break apart?
Hydrolysis: a chemical reaction where water is used to break apart another molecule. During this process, water (H20) will break apart forming OH- and H+. The H+ will “bond” to one part of the large molecule and OH- will bond to the other part of the molecule, forming two smaller separate molecules.
What are the end products of hydrolysis of a polysaccharide?
Polysaccharides are very long and have many glycosidic bonds to hydrolyze. They cannot all be hydrolyzed at the same time, so the product is a mixture of dextrins, maltose, and glucose. If a polysaccharide sample is hydrolyzed completely (which means that it must react for a while), the product is glucose.
How are polymers formed?
A polymer is a large molecule made up of smaller, joined-together molecules called monomers. Monomers join together to make polymer chains by forming covalent bonds—that is, by sharing electrons. Other bonds then hold the groups of chains together to form a polymer material.
What is the process by which polymers are broken down?
Polymers are broken down into monomers through a process called hydrolysis (hydro = water, lyse = to break). Biologically important molecules are grouped into four classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
How are bonds broken in a linear polymer?
Since these bonding types are relatively easy to break with heat, linear polymers are typically thermoplastic. Heat breaks the bonds between the long chains allowing the chains to flow past each other, allowing the material to be remolded. Upon cooling the bonds between the long chains reform, i.e., the polymer hardens.
What happens when monomers combine to form a polymer?
Dehydration Synthesis The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers. In doing so, monomers release water molecules as byproducts. This type of reaction is known as dehydration synthesis, which means “to put together while losing water.”
What are some of the problems with polymers?
The biggest problem as mentioned above is that polymers are non-biodegradable which means that microorganisms cannot naturally break them down. Disposal of polymers by burning or incineration is a possibility, as this generates heat which can be used to generate electricity.