condensation polymerisation

[Snorlax]

Just a quick question about 'Making Polymers'.
Could someone give me an example to simplify how 'Condensation polymerisation' works?
"when a monomer links uses a hydroxyl group with a hydrogen atom of another monomer-forming a water molecule"
Pretty confused, thanks

[chisel]

Condensation polymerisation is when two molecules (monomers) join together by losing a H20 molecule at the site of bonding. It's like the H20 opens up new bonding possibilities between the monomers and so the result is a polymer with the two monomers having now formed new bonds in the gap where the water used to be.
I'm pretty sure the opposites called hydrolysis where a polymer is broken down into two monomers by the addition of water (exactly the same as condensation but in reverse) as now the water molecule is able to form the original bonds to each end of each monomer.
I always got confused with this wen i did bio last year, but once you get your head around it and make sure you dont get them mixed up, you'll be sweet.
Hope this helps 

[ealam2]

Hydrolysis- "hydro" meaning water and "lysis" meaning split. Therefore hydrolysis is the process through which a water molecule is added to a polymer which breaks the bonds to make monomers; essentially splitting it.

Condensation polymerisation- also called dehydration reaction; dehydration indicates loss of water molecule and polymerisation is making a polymer from the bonding of monomer subunits.

Hope this helps!

[Yacoubb]

The best way of visualizing the processes of both the condensation reaction and the hydrolysis reaction is by breaking it down into different stages.

The condensation reaction is an endergonic reaction. This means that an input of energy is required for this anabolic reaction to take place. Anabolism is the synthesis of a complex compound from simple substances. It's merely like a house. It takes a lot of time/effort to build and make sure a house is built properly (hence, an endergonic, energy-requiring reaction).

I'm going to use the sucrose disaccharide as an example:

Sucrose is a di-saccharide (2 sugar units) made up of Fructose and Glucose joined together in the condesation polymerisation reaction. The carboxyl group of one glucose monomer (OH) joins with the Hydrogen group of the other fructose monomer (H), forming, by logic (H₂O), a water molecule. In order for a glycosidic bond to form between these two monomers, the water molecule must be eliminated (hence, the dehydration process). A glycosidic bond will only form after the water molecule was eliminated. It is good to know that for every bond formed between two monomers, 1 H₂O molecule is released.

Hydrolysis is an exergonic (energy-releasing) process. It is a catabolic reaction; the breakdown of a large complex compound into simple substances. Referring again to the house; the energy required to get a crane and knock it down is much less and remarkably low compared to the energy required to build it. Thus, we can think of hydrolysis as an energy-releasing, catabolic reaction.

I'm using the sucrose di-saccharide again:
When catabolism occurs, we know that we initially have our disaccharide sucrose (i.e. one glucose monomer + one fructose monomer, joined together by a strong covalent glycosidic bond). To break this glycosidic bond, the introduction of a water molecule is essential. The H₂O molecule enters this bond. The one hydrogen atom will attach to the fructose monosaccharide, while the carboxyl group (OH) will go towards the glucose monomer. So, its back to normal, and that glycosidic bond is broken.

I hope that was helpful Keep this as a handy-guide for Biochemical Processes as well:

Any anabolic process is endergonic. That means, an input of energy is required to synthesise something complex (e.g. Glucose) from simple inorganic substances (CO₂ and H₂O), in Photosynthesis.

Any catabolic process is exergonic. That means, energy is released and there is an energy yield as a complex organic compound (e.g. Glucose) is broken down into simple substances (O₂ and H₂O), releasing a net output of energy in the form of ATP, in biochemical process cellular respiration.