CHEM 219 Organic Chemistry: Polymers, Carbohydrates, Lipids, and
Biochemistry Connections 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which process involves the joining of monomers without the loss of any small
molecules?
A. Addition polymerization
B. Condensation polymerization
C. Hydrolysis
D. Saponification
Answer: A
Rationale: Addition polymerization occurs when monomers containing double or triple
bonds join together without losing any atoms.
2. Which of the following is a byproduct typically released during condensation
polymerization?
A. Water
B. Hydrogen gas
C. Oxygen
D. Carbon dioxide
Answer: A
Rationale: In condensation polymerization, small molecules like water or HCl are
eliminated as the monomers link.
,3. What is the monomer unit of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)?
A. Ethylene
B. Vinyl chloride
C. Styrene
D. Propylene
Answer: B
Rationale: PVC is formed by the addition polymerization of vinyl chloride (chloroethene)
monomers.
4. Which polymer is commonly used as a non-stick coating for cookware?
A. Polyethylene
B. Polystyrene
C. Teflon (PTFE)
D. Nylon
Answer: C
Rationale: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), known as Teflon, is resistant to heat and
chemicals and provides a non-stick surface.
5. Proteins are natural polymers made of which monomers?
A. Nucleotides
B. Monosaccharides
C. Amino acids
D. Fatty acids
Answer: C
Rationale: Proteins are polypeptides formed by the condensation polymerization of amino
acids.
, 6. What type of linkage joins glucose units in cellulose?
A. Alpha-1,4-glycosidic bond
B. Alpha-1,6-glycosidic bond
C. Beta-1,4-glycosidic bond
D. Peptide bond
Answer: C
Rationale: Cellulose consists of glucose units linked by beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds,
providing structural rigidity to plant cell walls.
7. Which of the following describes a thermoplastic polymer?
A. It softens when heated and can be remolded multiple times.
B. It is permanently hardened after the first heating.
C. It decomposes upon heating and cannot be reshaped.
D. It is always a natural fiber.
Answer: A
Rationale: Thermoplastics soften when heated and harden when cooled, allowing them to
be recycled and reshaped.
8. The process of vulcanization involves adding which element to rubber to
increase its durability?
A. Carbon
B. Nitrogen
C. Phosphorus
D. Sulfur
Answer: D
Rationale: Vulcanization involves heating natural rubber with sulfur to create cross-links
between polymer chains.
Biochemistry Connections 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which process involves the joining of monomers without the loss of any small
molecules?
A. Addition polymerization
B. Condensation polymerization
C. Hydrolysis
D. Saponification
Answer: A
Rationale: Addition polymerization occurs when monomers containing double or triple
bonds join together without losing any atoms.
2. Which of the following is a byproduct typically released during condensation
polymerization?
A. Water
B. Hydrogen gas
C. Oxygen
D. Carbon dioxide
Answer: A
Rationale: In condensation polymerization, small molecules like water or HCl are
eliminated as the monomers link.
,3. What is the monomer unit of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)?
A. Ethylene
B. Vinyl chloride
C. Styrene
D. Propylene
Answer: B
Rationale: PVC is formed by the addition polymerization of vinyl chloride (chloroethene)
monomers.
4. Which polymer is commonly used as a non-stick coating for cookware?
A. Polyethylene
B. Polystyrene
C. Teflon (PTFE)
D. Nylon
Answer: C
Rationale: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), known as Teflon, is resistant to heat and
chemicals and provides a non-stick surface.
5. Proteins are natural polymers made of which monomers?
A. Nucleotides
B. Monosaccharides
C. Amino acids
D. Fatty acids
Answer: C
Rationale: Proteins are polypeptides formed by the condensation polymerization of amino
acids.
, 6. What type of linkage joins glucose units in cellulose?
A. Alpha-1,4-glycosidic bond
B. Alpha-1,6-glycosidic bond
C. Beta-1,4-glycosidic bond
D. Peptide bond
Answer: C
Rationale: Cellulose consists of glucose units linked by beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds,
providing structural rigidity to plant cell walls.
7. Which of the following describes a thermoplastic polymer?
A. It softens when heated and can be remolded multiple times.
B. It is permanently hardened after the first heating.
C. It decomposes upon heating and cannot be reshaped.
D. It is always a natural fiber.
Answer: A
Rationale: Thermoplastics soften when heated and harden when cooled, allowing them to
be recycled and reshaped.
8. The process of vulcanization involves adding which element to rubber to
increase its durability?
A. Carbon
B. Nitrogen
C. Phosphorus
D. Sulfur
Answer: D
Rationale: Vulcanization involves heating natural rubber with sulfur to create cross-links
between polymer chains.
