Chemistry 9701 · AS & A Level · Polymerisation

Polymerisation — practice question

In the human body, amino acids join together in reactions that are essential for growth and repair to produce polymers called proteins.
(a(i))

What kind of reaction is this polymerisation?

(a(ii))[3]

Using stocks of glycine and alanine, gly-ala can be formed. With the same three-letter abbreviations for the amino acids, state the structures of every other dipeptide that could be formed from these amino acid stocks.

(b(i))

Draw a DNA segment with two base pairs, using blocks to represent the different components. All components should be labelled.

(b(ii))[4]

State the effect on DNA replication if the hydrogen bonds between the strands were replaced by stronger bonds, for example covalent bonds.

(c(i))

Explain why some alterations in the triplet code do not produce any change in the primary structure of a protein.

(c(ii))

Suggest what change in the tertiary structure of a protein would follow a mutation that substituted glycine for aspartic acid.

(c(iii))[3]

Explain why deleting a single base in DNA (or RNA) is likely to have more serious effects on the protein than swapping one base for another.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 10-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Condensation polymerisation

  • Full mark scheme, point by point
  • Step-by-step worked solution
  • Write your answer & get it marked instantly by AI