Monomers and Polymers
Monomers are small building blocks of biomolecules. They are small, but they can combine to form giant polymers, which are considered macromolecules.
Monomers can combine with each other through a dehydration reaction (also known as a condensation reaction). One of the monomers contribute a hydroxyl group (OH) while the other contributes a hydrogen (H). This forms a molecule of water and in the process, the two monomers become covalently bonded to each other.
On the other hand, polymers are broken apart by hydrolysis. This is the reverse of dehydration. To do this, a water molecule is added to the site where two monomers are covalently bonded. One monomer will accept the hydroxyl group (OH), and the other will accept the hydrogen (H).
An example of both dehydration and hydrolysis at work is the digestive system. When food molecules go through our intestines, they are broken down by hydrolysis into small monomers that can be absorbed by our bodies. Once the cells receive them, they are assembled into polymers through dehydration.
Monomers can combine with each other through a dehydration reaction (also known as a condensation reaction). One of the monomers contribute a hydroxyl group (OH) while the other contributes a hydrogen (H). This forms a molecule of water and in the process, the two monomers become covalently bonded to each other.
On the other hand, polymers are broken apart by hydrolysis. This is the reverse of dehydration. To do this, a water molecule is added to the site where two monomers are covalently bonded. One monomer will accept the hydroxyl group (OH), and the other will accept the hydrogen (H).
An example of both dehydration and hydrolysis at work is the digestive system. When food molecules go through our intestines, they are broken down by hydrolysis into small monomers that can be absorbed by our bodies. Once the cells receive them, they are assembled into polymers through dehydration.