top of page
Answers 3.1.1 Monomers and polymers
Answers 3.1.1 Monomers and polymers
Exercise 1
- Carbon containing compounds, usually found in living organisms.
- a) Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. b) (CH 2O)x
- a) Made up of one sugar molecule b) Made up of two sugar molecules c) Made up of more than two sugar molecules.
- They have the same molecular formula but different arrangement of atoms (isomers).
- a) sucrose: fructose - glucose b) lactose: galactose - glucose c) maltose: glucose - glucose
- Monosaccharides are soluble polysaccharides are insoluble, monosaccharides are reducing sugars polysaccharides are not.
8. To prevent extreme changes in solute concentration/water potential that could result in serious damage to cells and
tissues. To allow a store of energy to be available when needed.
9. a) Starch is a good storage compound as it is compact but also branched so can be broken down quickly into glucose
when required
b) Glycogen is similar to amylopectin but more branched so can be broken down quicker than starch
satisfying the energy needs of mammals.
c) Cellulose is made up of beta glucose forming long straight chains which are arranged parallel to each other forming
microfibrils. These are arranged as a network to produce a strong material called cellulose used in plant cell walls.
bottom of page