This document discusses the difference between monomers and polymers in biochemistry. Monomers are single units that combine through dehydration synthesis to form polymers by removing water between the monomers. Polymers can then be broken back down into monomers through hydrolysis, which adds water back between the monomers. Lipids also use dehydration synthesis but are not technically polymers.

1. Biochemistry Putting things together Taking things apart

2. Monomer vs Polymer

3. Monomer vs Polymer Disaccharide, Trisaccharide, Polysaccharide or Starch Carbohydrate Polypeptide or Protein Amino Acid Polymer (Long Chain) Monomer (Single Unit)

4. Dehydration Synthesis and Hydrolysis

5. Dehydration Synthesis Remove water to form long chains Simple sugars into starches Hydrolysis Add water to break chains Polysaccharides into monosaccharides

6. Lipids: A Special Case Not a polymer, but still use dehydration synthesis.