Monomers and polymers

The variety of life, both past and present, is extensive, but the biochemical basis of life is similar for all living things.

Monomers are the smaller units from which larger molecules are made.

Polymers are molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together.

Monosaccharides, amino acids and nucleotides are examples of monomers.

A condensation reaction joins two molecules together with the formation of a chemical bond and involves the elimination of a molecule of water.

A hydrolysis reaction breaks a chemical bond between two molecules and involves the use of a water molecule.