,Verified CHEM 219 Module 8 Exam Principles of
Organic Chemistry w/Lab | Portage (2026–2027)
Actual(PDF)
1. What is the fundamental repeating unit in a polymer chain called?
A) Macromolecule
B) Dimer
C) Monomer
D) Oligomer
Correct Answer: Monomer
Rationale: A monomer is the small, repeating molecular unit that links together to form a polymer, as
described by the Greek roots "mono" (one) and "meros" (part). A macromolecule is the large polymer
itself, not the repeating unit. A dimer consists of two units, and an oligomer contains a few units.
2. Which of the following is the best definition of a macromolecule?
A) A very large molecule composed of thousands of covalently bonded atoms
B) A molecule with a molecular weight greater than 100 g/mol
C) A molecule that contains only carbon and hydrogen
D) A molecule that can form hydrogen bonds
Correct Answer: A very large molecule composed of thousands of covalently bonded atoms
Rationale: Macromolecules are exceptionally large molecules with high molecular masses, often
consisting of thousands of atoms. Polymers are a primary example. The other options are too broad
(B), too narrow (C, excludes heteroatoms), or describe a property, not a definition.
3. Which of the following correctly identifies the two main classifications of polymers?
A) Organic and inorganic
,B) Natural and synthetic
C) Linear and branched
D) Amorphous and crystalline
Correct Answer: Natural and synthetic
Rationale: The broadest classification of polymers is based on their origin. Natural polymers occur in
nature (e.g., rubber, cellulose, proteins), while synthetic polymers are created by scientists in a
laboratory (e.g., plastics). The other options describe sub-classifications or physical properties.
4. A polymer formed by the repetitive addition of monomers containing a C=C bond, without the loss
of any small molecule, is classified as which type?
A) Condensation polymer
B) Chain-growth polymer
C) Biopolymer
D) Cross-linked polymer
Correct Answer: Chain-growth polymer
Rationale: Chain-growth (or addition) polymers are formed by the successive addition of monomers
that contain a multiple bond (often C=C) to a reactive species. No small molecule is eliminated.
Condensation (step-growth) polymers form by reaction of two functional groups with loss of a small
molecule like water.
5. Which type of polymerization typically involves the loss of a small molecule such as water or
methanol?
A) Addition polymerization
B) Chain-growth polymerization
C) Condensation polymerization
D) Cationic polymerization
, Correct Answer: Condensation polymerization
Rationale: Condensation (step-growth) polymerization proceeds via reactions between different
functional groups on monomers, and a small molecule (like H₂O, HCl, or CH₃OH) is eliminated as a
byproduct. Addition polymerization does not involve loss of a small molecule.
6. A protein is an example of which category of polymer?
A) Synthetic polymer
B) Biopolymer
C) Addition polymer
D) Thermoplastic
Correct Answer: Biopolymer
Rationale: Proteins are biologically relevant natural polymers, often called biopolymers. They are not
synthetic (A), not formed by addition polymerization (C) in the traditional sense (they are
condensation polymers), and "thermoplastic" describes a property, not a category.
7. In polymer chemistry, what does the term "tacticity" describe?
A) The molecular weight of the polymer chain
B) The arrangement of substituent groups along the polymer chain
C) The degree of cross-linking between chains
D) The ratio of monomer units in a copolymer
Correct Answer: The arrangement of substituent groups along the polymer chain
Rationale: Tacticity refers to the stereochemistry and the spatial arrangement of substituent groups
along the backbone of a polymer chain. This arrangement (isotactic, syndiotactic, atactic) significantly
affects the polymer's crystallinity and physical properties.
Organic Chemistry w/Lab | Portage (2026–2027)
Actual(PDF)
1. What is the fundamental repeating unit in a polymer chain called?
A) Macromolecule
B) Dimer
C) Monomer
D) Oligomer
Correct Answer: Monomer
Rationale: A monomer is the small, repeating molecular unit that links together to form a polymer, as
described by the Greek roots "mono" (one) and "meros" (part). A macromolecule is the large polymer
itself, not the repeating unit. A dimer consists of two units, and an oligomer contains a few units.
2. Which of the following is the best definition of a macromolecule?
A) A very large molecule composed of thousands of covalently bonded atoms
B) A molecule with a molecular weight greater than 100 g/mol
C) A molecule that contains only carbon and hydrogen
D) A molecule that can form hydrogen bonds
Correct Answer: A very large molecule composed of thousands of covalently bonded atoms
Rationale: Macromolecules are exceptionally large molecules with high molecular masses, often
consisting of thousands of atoms. Polymers are a primary example. The other options are too broad
(B), too narrow (C, excludes heteroatoms), or describe a property, not a definition.
3. Which of the following correctly identifies the two main classifications of polymers?
A) Organic and inorganic
,B) Natural and synthetic
C) Linear and branched
D) Amorphous and crystalline
Correct Answer: Natural and synthetic
Rationale: The broadest classification of polymers is based on their origin. Natural polymers occur in
nature (e.g., rubber, cellulose, proteins), while synthetic polymers are created by scientists in a
laboratory (e.g., plastics). The other options describe sub-classifications or physical properties.
4. A polymer formed by the repetitive addition of monomers containing a C=C bond, without the loss
of any small molecule, is classified as which type?
A) Condensation polymer
B) Chain-growth polymer
C) Biopolymer
D) Cross-linked polymer
Correct Answer: Chain-growth polymer
Rationale: Chain-growth (or addition) polymers are formed by the successive addition of monomers
that contain a multiple bond (often C=C) to a reactive species. No small molecule is eliminated.
Condensation (step-growth) polymers form by reaction of two functional groups with loss of a small
molecule like water.
5. Which type of polymerization typically involves the loss of a small molecule such as water or
methanol?
A) Addition polymerization
B) Chain-growth polymerization
C) Condensation polymerization
D) Cationic polymerization
, Correct Answer: Condensation polymerization
Rationale: Condensation (step-growth) polymerization proceeds via reactions between different
functional groups on monomers, and a small molecule (like H₂O, HCl, or CH₃OH) is eliminated as a
byproduct. Addition polymerization does not involve loss of a small molecule.
6. A protein is an example of which category of polymer?
A) Synthetic polymer
B) Biopolymer
C) Addition polymer
D) Thermoplastic
Correct Answer: Biopolymer
Rationale: Proteins are biologically relevant natural polymers, often called biopolymers. They are not
synthetic (A), not formed by addition polymerization (C) in the traditional sense (they are
condensation polymers), and "thermoplastic" describes a property, not a category.
7. In polymer chemistry, what does the term "tacticity" describe?
A) The molecular weight of the polymer chain
B) The arrangement of substituent groups along the polymer chain
C) The degree of cross-linking between chains
D) The ratio of monomer units in a copolymer
Correct Answer: The arrangement of substituent groups along the polymer chain
Rationale: Tacticity refers to the stereochemistry and the spatial arrangement of substituent groups
along the backbone of a polymer chain. This arrangement (isotactic, syndiotactic, atactic) significantly
affects the polymer's crystallinity and physical properties.
