Zonomers and Polymers Worksheet – Option 7 PART 1 – All macromolecules are polymers made up of cromolecules are polymers made up of monomers. Monomers are repetitive or a larger compound. Look at the image below to familiarize yourself with monomer and polymer structure. molecule Monomers of Biomolecules Nucleic Acid Carbohydrate Lipid Protein 0.0000 monomer Glycerol moleculo Acid glucose Amoeba Sisters #AmoebaGIFs Example: If words are the polymer, letters are the monomer. If a sentence is the polymer, words are the monomer PART 2 – Macromolecules are large molecules (polymers) made up of smaller subunits called monomers and when monomers link together they form polymers. 1. Match the MONOmer on the left to the macromolecules on the right. Fatty acids and glycerol A. Protein Monosaccharide B. Lipid Nucleotide C. Nucleic acid Amino acid D. Carbohydrate 2. Match the POLYmer on the left to the macromolecules on the right. DNA A. Protein Enzyme B. Lipid Triglyceride C. Nucleic acid Polysaccharide D. Carbohydrate 3. Match the MONOmer on the left to the POLYmer on the right. Fatty acids and glycerol A. Enzyme Glucose B. Triglyceride Nucleotide Amino acid C. Starch D. DNA 4. Explain how monomers are related to polymers.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Here are the correct answers for each part:
Part 1: Matching Monomers to Macromolecules
- Fatty acids and glycerol → B. Lipid
Monosaccharide → D. Carbohydrate
Nucleotide → C. Nucleic acid
Amino acid → A. Protein
Part 2: Matching Polymers to Macromolecules
- DNA → C. Nucleic acid
Enzyme → A. Protein
Triglyceride → B. Lipid
Polysaccharide → D. Carbohydrate
Part 3: Matching Monomers to Polymers
- Fatty acids and glycerol → B. Triglyceride
Glucose → C. Starch
Nucleotide → D. DNA
Amino acid → A. Enzyme
Part 4: Explanation of Monomers and Polymers
Monomers are the building blocks of larger molecules known as polymers. The process by which monomers link together to form polymers is known as polymerization. Each polymer is made up of repeating units of monomers, and these monomers are connected through chemical bonds.
In biological systems, the four main types of macromolecules—proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates—are polymers made from different monomers. For example:
- Proteins are polymers of amino acids. Each amino acid is a monomer that links together to form a long chain or protein. These chains then fold into specific shapes to perform various biological functions, such as catalyzing reactions (enzymes) or providing structural support (collagen).
- Nucleic acids (like DNA and RNA) are polymers made from nucleotide monomers. Nucleotides contain a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base, and their sequence in DNA determines genetic information.
- Carbohydrates are polymers made from monosaccharides (simple sugars). These monosaccharides can be linked together to form polysaccharides such as starch and glycogen, which are used for energy storage in plants and animals.
- Lipids, while not technically polymers in the strictest sense, are often composed of smaller units like fatty acids and glycerol. When these molecules combine, they form complex lipids like triglycerides, which are important for energy storage and cell membrane structure.
In summary, monomers are the fundamental subunits that, when connected, form larger macromolecules called polymers. This connection is essential for the structure and function of biological molecules, providing the complexity needed for life processes.