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Chapter 22: Problem 21

The amino acid glycine can be condensed to form a polymer called polyglycine. Draw the repeating monomer unit.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The repeating monomer unit of polyglycine is the glycine molecule, depicted as (-NH2CH2COOH)n.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Amino Acids

Amino acids have a central alpha carbon bonded to four different groups: an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a variable R group. In glycine, the simplest amino acid, the R group is a hydrogen atom.
02

Draw the Structure of Glycine

On paper or a drawing software, draw the structure of glycine, which comprises a central carbon atom (the alpha carbon) bonded to a hydrogen atom, an amino group (-NH2), and a carboxyl group (-COOH). Remember to clearly indicate all atoms and bonds. The termini of the amino and carboxyl groups should be free of additional bonds as they are involved in polymerization.
03

Understand Polymerization

In a dehydration synthesis reaction, the hydroxyl group from the carboxyl end of one amino acid reacts with the hydrogen from the amino end of another, releasing a water molecule. A peptide bond forms between the two amino acids, and the reaction can be repeated with additional amino acids creating a polymer.
04

Draw the Repeating Monomer Unit in Polyglycine

The repeating unit in a polymer is often referred to as a 'monomer unit' and it is customary to display it in parentheses with an 'n' on the right to indicate repetition. Therefore, to denote the repeating monomer unit of polyglycine, draw the structure of glycine in parentheses, with the carboxyl end on the left and the amino end on the right (to reflect the direction of polymerization), and place an 'n' on the right.

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