This document discusses different types of polymers found in biology. It explains that monomers link together through dehydration synthesis to form polymers, which can then be broken down through hydrolysis. Specifically, it describes carbohydrates like monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Starch and glycogen are mentioned as examples of polysaccharides used for glucose storage. Cellulose is discussed as a fiber that makes up plant cell walls and cannot be digested by humans. Chitin is also introduced as a polymer found in arthropod exoskeletons and fungi cell walls.

1. Biology and Human Concerns
09/25/09
Polymers
Most macromolecules are polymers.
Monomers are the structural subunits which the polymers are made of.
Dehydration reactions – building up
Hydrolysis reactions – breaking down
Dehydration Synthesis of Polymers (page 36).
-Linking monomers.
-Removal of 2 hydrogen atoms, and 1 oxygen atom
Hydrolysis
-Splitting of water molecules to re-establish bonds.
Carbohydrates
-Monosaccharides – simple sugars (page 37)
Two monosaccharides connected is a disaccharide
Any more than two saccharides is called a polysaccharide
Know this structure!!

Polysaccaride
(Amylose)
Starch AKA
storage
polysaccharide.
Glycogen  used to break down glucose stored in the liver for energy.
Alpha-glucose linked
= starch
Beta-glucose lined =
cellulose
Molecules 2 and 4
are flipped upside
down in beta glucose link.

2. Amylase – saliva molecule used to break down (digest) starch molecules
(amylose).
Cell wall made of cellulose, cellulose makes up a lot of the food we consume.
Amylase cannot attach to cellulose, and therefore, cellulose cannot be digested.
Cellulose = fiber. Fibre allows waste products to leave the body (feces).
Chitin
Used in the exoskeletons of arthropods and in the cell walls of fungi.