New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Natural polymers

I can name the monomers of some natural polymers, and understand their importance for life.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Natural polymers

I can name the monomers of some natural polymers, and understand their importance for life.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. DNA is made from monomers called nucleotides.
  2. Natural polymers are important for life.
  3. The carbohydrates starch and cellulose are made from the monomer glucose.
  4. Amino acids contain two functional groups and can form polypeptides and proteins.

Common misconception

Thinking that DNA is made of a single polymer chain.

Use the slides and a model to reinforce that DNA contains two polymer chains in a double helix structure.

Keywords

  • DNA - DNA is a polymer with a double helix structure that carries genetic information.

  • Polypeptides - Polypeptides are condensation polymers formed from amino acids. They contain peptide bonds.

  • Proteins - Proteins are polymer molecules made from joining amino acids together. They contain one or more polypeptide chains.

  • Nucleotides - Nucleotides are monomers that join together to make the polymer chains in DNA.

  • Amino acids - Amino acids are monomers that join together to form polypeptides and proteins.

Use a model of DNA to show the two polymer chains and double helix structure.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What name is given to the small molecules that join together to form a polymer?
Correct Answer: monomers
Q2.
During condensation polymerisation a polymer is formed. Which other product may also be formed?
hydrogen
carbon dioxide
oxygen
Correct answer: water
methane
Q3.
Which two functional groups are found in all amino acids?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: -COOH
-OH
C=C
Correct answer: -NH₂
Q4.
What name is given to the polymer with a double helix structure that carries genetic information?
Correct Answer: DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid
Q5.
What is the molecular formula of glucose?
Correct answer: C₆H₁₂O₆
C₅H₁₀O₅
C₂H₄
C₃H₈
C₄H₉OH
Q6.
The nucleotides that make up DNA contain ...
Correct answer: a phosphate group.
a sulfur group.
Correct answer: a sugar.
Correct answer: a base.
an acid.

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following key terms with the correct definition.
Correct Answer:DNA,polymer with a double helix structure that carries genetic information

polymer with a double helix structure that carries genetic information

Correct Answer:proteins,polymer molecules made from joining amino acids together

polymer molecules made from joining amino acids together

Correct Answer:nucleotides,monomers that join together to make the polymer chains in DNA

monomers that join together to make the polymer chains in DNA

Correct Answer:amino acids,monomers that join together to form polypeptides and proteins

monomers that join together to form polypeptides and proteins

Q2.
What do we call condensation polymers formed from amino acids?
Correct Answer: polypeptides, proteins
Q3.
Match the following monomers with the correct polymers they may produce.
Correct Answer:nucleotides,DNA

DNA

Correct Answer:glucose,starch and cellulose

starch and cellulose

Correct Answer:amino acids,polypeptides and proteins

polypeptides and proteins

Q4.
Which of the following is shown in the image?
An image in a quiz
a glucose molecule
Correct answer: an amino acid
a nucelotide
Q5.
Which two products are formed from the polymerisation of amino acids?
Correct answer: polypeptides
DNA
starch
Correct answer: water
oxygen
Q6.
Which of the following statements about the structure of DNA are correct?
DNA has a single helix structure.
Correct answer: DNA contains a sugar-phosphate backbone.
DNA is made of amino acids.
Correct answer: Nucleotides in DNA contain either the base A, T, C or G.
Correct answer: DNA contains 2 polymer chains.