Solved Macromolecules Worksheet related to polymers. 1. | Chegg.com - Free Printable

Let's go through each question on the Macromolecules Worksheet step by step and provide clear explanations.

---

1. Explain how monomers are related to polymers.

Answer:
Monomers are small, simple molecules that serve as building blocks. Polymers are large, complex molecules formed when many monomers are chemically bonded together through a process called dehydration synthesis (or condensation). For example:
- Amino acids (monomers) link together to form proteins (polymers).
- Monosaccharides (monomers) join to make polysaccharides (polymers).

So, polymers are made of repeating units of monomers.

---

2. Match the MONOMER on the left to the macromolecules on the right.

| Monomer | Macromolecule |
|--------------------------|---------------|
| Fatty acids and glycerol | B. Lipid |
| Monosaccharide | D. Carbohydrate |
| Nucleotide | C. Nucleic acid |
| Amino acid | A. Protein |

✔ Explanation:
- Fatty acids + glycerol → Triglycerides (lipids)
- Monosaccharides → Polysaccharides (carbohydrates)
- Nucleotides → DNA/RNA (nucleic acids)
- Amino acids → Proteins

---

3. Match the POLYMER on the left to the macromolecules on the right.

| Polymer | Macromolecule |
|------------------|---------------|
| DNA | C. Nucleic acid |
| Enzyme | A. Protein |
| Triglyceride | B. Lipid |
| Polysaccharide | D. Carbohydrate |

✔ Explanation:
- DNA is a nucleic acid.
- Enzymes are proteins (specific type of protein that acts as a catalyst).
- Triglyceride is a type of lipid.
- Polysaccharide is a carbohydrate (e.g., starch, glycogen).

---

4. Match the MONOMER on the left to the POLYMER on the right.

| Monomer | Polymer |
|--------------------------|---------------------|
| Fatty acids and glycerol | D. Phospholipid |
| Monosaccharide | A. Polysaccharide |
| Nucleotide | B. RNA |
| Amino acid | C. Enzyme |

⚠️ Wait – this one has a trick! Let's analyze carefully:

- Fatty acids + glycerol → Triglyceride or phospholipid?
- While both use fatty acids and glycerol, phospholipids are more common in cell membranes and contain a phosphate group.
- But triglycerides are also made from fatty acids and glycerol.
- However, phospholipids are the *polymer* (though not always called a polymer), but triglyceride is typically considered the main polymer formed from these monomers.

But here’s the issue: "Phospholipid" is listed, and it's made from fatty acids, glycerol, and a phosphate group — so not just fatty acids and glycerol.

But if we assume the answer choices are limited, then:
- Fatty acids and glycerol → Triglyceride (but "Triglyceride" is not an option here — instead, D is Phospholipid, which is incorrect unless specified).

Wait — let's look again:

The options for Polymer are:
- A. Polysaccharide
- B. RNA
- C. Enzyme
- D. Phospholipid

Now:
- Fatty acids and glycerol → Triglyceride — but triglyceride isn't listed. The closest is D. Phospholipid, which is also made from fatty acids and glycerol plus phosphate. So maybe it's acceptable?

But actually, phospholipids are not polymers in the same sense — they are not long chains like proteins or nucleic acids. They are dimeric or single molecules.

However, in some contexts, phospholipids are grouped under lipids and are built from fatty acids and glycerol.

But RNA is made from nucleotides → correct.
Enzyme is made from amino acids → correct.
Polysaccharide from monosaccharides → correct.

So likely, the intended matching is:

| Monomer | Polymer |
|--------------------------|--------------------|
| Fatty acids and glycerol | D. Phospholipid |
| Monosaccharide | A. Polysaccharide |
| Nucleotide | B. RNA |
| Amino acid | C. Enzyme |

✔ Even though triglyceride is more accurate than phospholipid, phospholipid is a common macromolecule made from fatty acids and glycerol (with phosphate). Since triglyceride isn’t listed, D is the best choice.

But wait — enzymes are proteins, and proteins are polymers of amino acids. So amino acid → enzyme is correct because enzymes are proteins.

Similarly, nucleotide → RNA is correct.

So final answer:

- Fatty acids and glycerol → D. Phospholipid
- Monosaccharide → A. Polysaccharide
- Nucleotide → B. RNA
- Amino acid → C. Enzyme

✔ This matches the logic.

---

5. Match the MONOMER on the left to the POLYMER on the right.

| Monomer | Polymer |
|--------------------------|---------------------|
| Fatty acids and glycerol | B. Triglyceride |
| Glucose | C. Starch |
| Nucleotide | D. DNA |
| Amino acid | A. Enzyme |

Now, let’s analyze:

- Fatty acids and glycerol → Triglyceride ✔ (This is a classic reaction)
- Glucose → Starch ✔ (Starch is a polysaccharide made of glucose)
- Nucleotide → DNA ✔ (DNA is a polymer of nucleotides)
- Amino acid → Enzyme ✔ (Enzymes are proteins, made of amino acids)

So:

- Fatty acids and glycerol → B. Triglyceride
- Glucose → C. Starch
- Nucleotide → D. DNA
- Amino acid → A. Enzyme

✔ This makes sense.

Note: Starch is a specific polysaccharide made of glucose; DNA is a specific nucleic acid; enzyme is a specific protein.

---

✔ Final Answers:

#### 1.
Monomers are the building blocks that link together via covalent bonds to form polymers. Through dehydration synthesis, monomers are joined into long chains (polymers), which are essential macromolecules in cells.

---

#### 2.
- Fatty acids and glycerol → B. Lipid
- Monosaccharide → D. Carbohydrate
- Nucleotide → C. Nucleic acid
- Amino acid → A. Protein

---

#### 3.
- DNA → C. Nucleic acid
- Enzyme → A. Protein
- Triglyceride → B. Lipid
- Polysaccharide → D. Carbohydrate

---

#### 4.
- Fatty acids and glycerol → D. Phospholipid *(Note: Triglyceride would be better, but not listed)*
- Monosaccharide → A. Polysaccharide
- Nucleotide → B. RNA
- Amino acid → C. Enzyme

---

#### 5.
- Fatty acids and glycerol → B. Triglyceride
- Glucose → C. Starch
- Nucleotide → D. DNA
- Amino acid → A. Enzyme

---

Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer key!