1. Would you expect the formation of a polymer from monomers to be spontaneous or non-spontaneous? Is energy required or released when polymers form? (entropy, order)
2. Create a table comparing three of the major classes of macromolecules: proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. Compare these macromolecules in terms of role in cell, monomers, formation, other criteria?
3. Draw a generic amino acid using "R" to represent the variable side chain. Label the functional groups common to all amino acids. (amino, carboxyl)
4. Memorize the structures of the amino acids cysteine, glutamate, lysine, and methionine.*
5. Draw a condensation reaction that forms a peptide bond. Draw a hydrolysis reaction that that breaks a peptide bond.