What is the chemical mechanism by which cells make polymers from monomers
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The process for connecting two monomers together (forming a
covalent bond) is called dehydration synthesis. Dehydration means
“removal of water” and synthesis means “to join together”. So in this
process, two monomers are covalently bonded by the removal of a
water molecule. Each organic monomer has a hydroxyl group (-OH) on
one side and a hydrogen (H) on the other. When two monomers line
up side by side, they will have these two functional groups facing oneanother (H & OH). The H and the OH will break off of their respective
monomers and bond forming a water molecule. This is the dehydration
part of the process. Each monomer now has a carbon atom that needs
to covalently bond with something, so they bind to each other forming
a polymer. That is the synthesis part of the process. Dehydration
synthesis is an energy-requiring process. Every time a cell needs to
build a protein or a starch, it has to expend some energy to form those
chemical bonds. Dehydration synthesis is universal for building all
organic polymers.
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covalent bond) is called dehydration synthesis. Dehydration means
“removal of water” and synthesis means “to join together”. So in this
process, two monomers are covalently bonded by the removal of a
water molecule. Each organic monomer has a hydroxyl group (-OH) on
one side and a hydrogen (H) on the other. When two monomers line
up side by side, they will have these two functional groups facing oneanother (H & OH). The H and the OH will break off of their respective
monomers and bond forming a water molecule. This is the dehydration
part of the process. Each monomer now has a carbon atom that needs
to covalently bond with something, so they bind to each other forming
a polymer. That is the synthesis part of the process. Dehydration
synthesis is an energy-requiring process. Every time a cell needs to
build a protein or a starch, it has to expend some energy to form those
chemical bonds. Dehydration synthesis is universal for building all
organic polymers.
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