Read the pages indicated by behavioral objective 26 and study the pages indicated by A-9. Biological molecules are made up of many small subunits which when hooked together form a larger molecule containing those characteristics unique to that biological molecule. These subunits are called monomers. Chains of three or more of the monomers are called polymers. Some biological molecules are made up of two or more different monomers hooked together. These would not be polymers. The chemical mechanisms that cells use to hook together monomers or to uncouple monomers are the same for all biological molecules. During both processes water molecules will be utilized. These two processes are called hydrolysis or condensation synthesis. 

 During the process of condensation synthesis one water molecule between each monomer will be removed. Each monomer contributes part of the water molecule that is released; one monomer loses a hydroxyl group (OH), and the other loses a hydrogen (H). Both monomers, having each lost a covalent partner, now bond covalently with each other. Study diagram in text indicated by A-9. 

 During the process of hydrolysis large molecules are broken into its individuals monomers. This process is the reverse of condensation synthesis. Bonds between monomers are broken by the addition of water molecules, a hydrogen from water bonds to one monomer, and a hydroxyl bonds to the adjacent monomer. Study the diagram in the text indicated by A-9. 

 1. How many water molecules would be required  to hydrolyze a polymer containing five monomers? 

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2. How many water molecules would be formed during the condensation synthesis of ten monomers? 

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Make sure you understand the concept presented above. This concept will be used to explain chemical properties of biological molecules. several times in this miniunit. 

 3. In your notes write an equation using hypothetical monomers below showing the reactants and products for the condensation synthesis of these monomers. 

 XXXX-OH     +    HO-XXXXXX-OH     +    HO-XX 

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4. In your notes write an equation using hypothetical poly monomer below showing the reactants and products for the hydrolysis of this poly monomer. 

 XXXX-O-XX-O-XX-O-YYYYN 

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This is the end of lesson six. In the last lesson you will learn how the concepts of hydrolysis and condensation synthesis are utilized in biological systems. Click here to go to Miniunit Alpha Lessons and the last lesson, biological molecules.  
  

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