This video explains the concept of macromolecules, which are large biological molecules composed of thousands of atoms. It details the four main classes of macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The video also introduces the terms "polymer" and "monomer," explaining how polymers are formed through dehydration (or condensation) reactions and broken down via hydrolysis.
Dehydration synthesis, also known as a condensation reaction, is the process by which polymers are formed. In this reaction, two monomers (single units) link together. During this linkage, a water molecule (H2O) is lost. This loss of water creates a covalent bond between the monomers, effectively joining them. This process can be repeated to link many monomers together, forming a long polymer chain.
Hydrolysis is the exact opposite process, used to break down polymers. In hydrolysis, a water molecule is used to split a polymer (or a larger molecule like a dimer, which is two monomers linked together) back into its individual monomers. The water molecule is essentially added back across the covalent bond that held the monomers together, breaking that bond and reforming the original monomers.
