Chapter 23.4, Problem 21R

To determine

To identify: The monomers that make up the given polymers.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction: Polymers are the high molecular mass compounds obtained by joining of repeating structural units.

Proteins are high molecular mass, complex polymeric substances present in all living cells. They are biopolymers of a-amino acids.

Nucleic acids are long chain biopolymers present in high concentration in nuclei of cells. They are made up of repeated nucleotide units, that is, they are polynucleotides. Nucleic acid contain the elements carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus.

Starch is a mixture of two polysaccharides, namely Amylose and Amylopectin. Both amylose and amylopectin are polymers of D-glucose.

Conclusion: Proteins are made up of a-amino acids, nucleic acids of nucleotide units and starches of D-Glucose.