1

MACROMOLECULES

FSC PART 2

CHAPTER NO.14

MACROMOLECULES
IMPORTANT SHORT
QUESTION+MCQ’S+LONG+PAST PAPER
QUESTIONS

PHOTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

By Sir Muhammad Murtaza

Photon Academy Of Science

 2
MACROMOLECULES

1. Define macromolecules.
Ans: Macromolecules or polymers are described as large molecules built up from small repeatingunits called
monomers. For Example: Polyvinyl Chloride is a macromolecule.

2. Define polymerization.
Ans: Polymerization is a process of reacting monomer molecules together in a chemical reactionto form polymer chains or
three-dimensional networks.
Example:

3. What are polymers? Give two examples.

Ans: The word polymer is derived from Greek word, poly means many and mer means parts. Polymers or
macromolecules are defined as large molecules build up from small repeating units called monomers. The repetition
may be linear or branched or interconnected to form three
dimensional network. Examples are artificial fibres, plastics, synthetic varnish etc

Examples:

4. Give classification of macromolecules.

Ans:

5. Mention the three ways of polymerization.

Ans: In some cases the repetition is linear while in others, it is branched or interconnected to formthree dimensional
network.

6. Define degree of polymerization.

Ans: The length of the polymer chain is specialized by the number of repeating units in the chainknown as the degree
of polymerization (DP), for example, in linear polythene.

Photon Academy Of Science

 2
MACROMOLECULES

The repeating unit is

Where, n is called degree of polymerization and it is usually a large number.

7. How is the molecular mass of the polymer calculated?
Ans: The molecular mass of the polymer is the product of the molecular mass of the repeating unitand the DP For
example, polyvinyl chloride, a polymer of DP 1000, has a molecular mass.
Mol. mass = Mol. mass of the repeating unit x DP

8. What is a homopolymer?
Ans: A homopolymer is formed by the polymerization of a single type of monomer. For example, the polymerization of
vinyl acetate.

9. Why is a copolymer?
Ans: A copolymer is formed by the polymerization of two monomers together, e.g; vinyl acetate reacts with butyl
maleate to give a copolymer.

10. What is a terpolymer?

Ans: In terpolymer three different monomers are polymerized and the polymerization reaction is carefully controlled.
For example, combination of butyl acrylate, methacrylate and acrylic acid monomers gives a highly tough polymer which
serves as a weather-resistant paint.

11. What is the classification of polymers based on thermal properties?

Ans: Based on thermal properties polymers are of two types:
1. Thermoplastic
A thermoplastic polymer is one which can be softened repeatedly when heated and hardenedwhen cooled with a
little change in properties. For example; PVC pipes, plastic toys, etc.
2. Thermosetting plastic
The polymers which become hard on heating and cannot be softened again are called thermosetting polymers.
A thermosetting polymer, on heating, decomposes instead of melting. For example, synthetic varnish, epoxy
resins, etc.
12. What is a thermoplastic polymer?
Ans: A thermoplastic polymer is one which can be softened repeatedly when heated and hardened when cooled with a
little change in properties.
Examples: PVC pipes, plastic toys, etc.
13. What is a thermosetting plastic?
Ans: The polymers which become hard on heating and cannot be softened again are called thermosetting polymers. A
thermosetting polymer, on heating, decomposes instead of [Link]: synthetic varnish, epoxy resins, etc.
14. What are the types of polymerization process?
Ans: There are two types of polymerization process:
Addition polymerization
It is a free-radical addition reaction which involves initiation, propagation and termination steps. For example,
polymerization of styrene. Addition of polymerization is catalyzed by thermal or photochemical decomposition
Photon Academy Of Science
 3
MACROMOLECULES

of organic peroxides to give free radicals.

Condensation polymerization
This type of polymerization results from the mutual reaction of two functional groups. The reaction usually
involves the removal of a water molecule or a methanol molecule. It takes place at both ends of the growing
chain. For example, dicarboxylic acids or esters combine with diols to get the desired polymer like nylon and
polyester fibre. Such polymerizations are generally ionic in nature.
15. Give mechanism of addition polymerization.
Ans: It is a free-radical addition reaction which involves initiation, propagation and termination steps. For example,
polymerization of styrene. Addition of polymerization is catalyzed by thermal or photochemical decomposition of
organic peroxides to give free radicals.

16. Give mechanism of condensation polymerization

Ans: This type of polymerization results from the mutual reaction of two functional groups. The reaction usually involves
the removal of a water molecule or a methanol molecule. It takes place at both ends of the growing chain. For example,
dicarboxylic acids or esters combine with diols to get the desired polymer like nylon and polyester fibre. Such
polymerizations are generally ionic in nature.

17. How polyvinyl chloride is prepared?

Ans: It is an addition polymer obtained by polymerizing vinyl chloride at 52°C and 9 atmospheric pressure.

Addition of a plasticizer improves the flexibility of the polymer. It is widely used in floor coverings, in pipes, in
gramophone recorders, etc.
18. How polystyrene is prepared?
Ans: It is also an addition polymer and is obtained by the polymerization of styrene in the presence of a catalyst.
Polystyrene is used in the manufacture of food containers, cosmetic bottles, toys and packing material, etc.

19. What do you know about polyvinyl acetate?

Ans: PVA is a colourless, non-toxic resin. It is supplied in a number of grades differing in the degreeof polymerization.
The resin has a characteristics odour. It is mostly used as an adhesive material and as a binder for emulsion paints.
20. What are acrylic resins? Give an example.

Photon Academy Of Science

 4
MACROMOLECULES

Ans: These are closely related to the vinyl resins. The most important monomers of acrylic resins are
methylmethacrylate, acrylic acid and butyl acrylate. The acrylic fibres are based largely on acrylonitrile. Acrylic resins
are used in the manufacture of plastics, paints for car industry and waterbased weather resistant paints.
21. What is polyester? Give an example.
Ans: Polyester resins are the product of the reaction of an alcohol (ethane 1, 2 diol) and aromatic bi-functional acids

(benzene 1,4-dicarboxylic acid). This product has a large number of uses in [Link] is often blended cotton or
wool for summer and winter clothing. Polyester resins are also used for making water tanks, etc

22. What are carbohydrates? Why are they called so?

Ans: The term carbohydrate is applied to a large number of relatively heterogeneous compounds. They are the most
abundant biomolecules on earth. The name carbohydrate (hydrate of carbon) is derived from the fact that the first
compound of this group which was studied had an empirical formula Cx (H2O)y . They are commonly called ‘sugars’
and are ‘polyhydroxy compounds’ of aldehydes and ketones.
23. What are monosaccharaides?
Ans: These are simple sugars which cannot be hydrolyzed. They have an empirical formula (CH2O)n where n = 3 or some
large number. Monosaccharides are either aldoses (aldehydic group) or ketoses(ketonic group). Common examples are
glyceraldehyde, glucose, fructose, etc
24. What is the difference between amylase and amylopectin?
Ans: Starch is not a pure compound. It is a mixture of two polysaccharides, amylose and amylopectin which can be
separated from one another. Amylose is soluble in water and gives a deep blue colour with iodine while amylopectin is
insoluble and gives no colour. Natural starch consists of 10 to 20%amylose and 80 to 90% amylopectin.

25. How are proteins classified?

Ans: Based on the physico-chemical properties, proteins may be classified into three types:
1. Simple proteins
These proteins on hydrolysis yield only amino acids or their derivatives. For example, albumins, globulins,
legumin, collagen, etc.
2. Compound or Conjugated proteins
In these molecules the protein is attached or conjugated to some non- protein groups which are called prosthetic
groups. For example, phospho-proteins are conjugated with phosphoricacid, lipoproteins are conjugated with
lipid substances like lecithin, cholesterol and fatty acids.
3. Derived proteins
This class of protein includes substances which are derived from simple and conjugated proteins. For example,
proteoses enzymes, peptones, oligopeptides, polypeptides, etc.
26. What is the difference between a fat and an oil?
Ans: The degree of unsaturation of the constituent fatty acid determines whether a triglyceride will be a solid or a liquid.
The glycerides in which long chain saturated acid components predominate tend to be solid or semi-solid and are termed
as fats. On the other hand, oils are glycerol esters whichcontain higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acid components
Photon Academy Of Science
 5
MACROMOLECULES

and are in liquid form at room temperature.

27. What is saponification number? Give an example.

Ans: It is defined as the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide requiredto saponify one gram
of the fat or oil. For example, one mole of glycerol tripalmitate (mol. wt = 807) requires 168,000 mg of KOH for
saponification. Therefore, one gram of fat will require 168000/807 mg of KOH. Hence the saponification number of
glycerol tripalmitate is 208.
28. What is rancidity of fats and oils?
Ans: Fats or oils are liable to spoilage and give off an odour known as rancidity. It is mainly causedby the hydrolytic or
oxidative reactions which release foul smelling aldehydes and fatty acids. Oils from sea animals which contain a
relatively high proportion of unsaturated acid chains deteriorate rapidly.
29. What is iodine number? Give an example.
Ans: The extent of unsaturation in a fat or an oil is expressed in terms of its iodine number. It is defined as the number
of grams of iodine which will add to 100 grams of a fat or an oil. The value of iodine number depends on the number of
double bonds present in the acid component of the glycerides. The glycerides with no double bonds have zero iodine
number.
30. What is acid number?
Ans: The acid number of a fat or an oil tells the amount of free fatty acids present in it. It is expressedas the number of
milligrams of potassium hydroxide required to neutralize one gram of fat.
31. What are steroids?
Ans: Steroids are naturally occurring lipids. Their parent nucleus has perhydrocyclopentanophenanthrene component
which consists of three six- membered rings (A, B and C) and one five-membered ring (D). These rings are joined or

fused to each other and have a total of 17-C atoms.

32. What is the difference between a glycosidic linkage and a peptide linkage
Ans:

Glycosidic linkage
This is present in oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides combine with the

Photon Academy Of Science

 6
MACROMOLECULES

release of water molecule forming a glycosidic linkage. For example, in sucrose molecule.

Peptide linkage
Amino acids combine with the release of water molecule thereby forming a peptide bond. Forexample,

Short Questions (2010-2022 Lahore Board):

1. How is Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prepared and give its uses? 2019
2. What is function of DNA and RNA? 2019
3. How is Nylon-6,6 prepared? 2019
4. Justify by writing the structural formulas that amylase is condensation polymer of -D-Glucose but
cellulose is polymer of -D glucose. 2010
5. Define enzymes. Write their two properties. 2011
6. Discuss Saponification number. 2012,2012,2016
7. Discuss Saponification number and give example. 2016
8. Define Saponification and Iodine number. 2014
9. Define Iodine number. 2011,2016
10. What are differences between DNA and RNA? 2012,2014,2016,2022,2022
11. What is difference between fat and oil? 2012, 2018
12. In what way fats and oils are different? 2011,2015,2017
13. What are lipids? Give two physical properties. 2014
14. Define polymerization. Explain the term degree of polymerization. 2013
15. Define acid number. What is rancidity? 2013
16. What is acid number? 2018
17. Write the structure of starch. 2013
18. Give classification of macromolecules. 2013
19. Define polysaccharides. Give examples. 2022
20. What are carbohydrates? Why are they called so? 2014
21. What are thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers? 2014
22. What are thermosetting polymers? 2018
23. What is difference between glucose and fructose? 2014
24. What is rancidity of fats and oils?2015,2016
25. Write structure of cholesterol.2015, 2017
26. What are polymers? Give two examples.2015
27. Define with example condensation polymerization.2016
28. Give four properties of enzymes. 2017
29. Write a note on condensation polymer. 2018
30. Define iodine number and acid number. 2018,2022
31. What is denaturation of proteins? 2018
32. Define copolymer. Give four examples. 2022
33. What is meant by hardening of oil? 2022
34. Briefly describe the two factors which affect activity of enzymes.

PAST PAPER MCQS

CHAPTER 14

1. Which of these polymers is a synthetic polymer:

(a) Aminal fat (b) Starch
(c) Cellulose (d) Polyester
2. Which one of the following enzymes brings about the hydrolysis of fats:
(a) Urease (b) Maltase

Photon Academy Of Science

 7
MACROMOLECULES

(c) Zymase (d) Lipase

3. To which class of compounds cholesterol belongs:
(a) Steroids (b) Phospholipids
(c) Vitamins (d) Triglycerides
4. Which of the following is an ester:
(a) Soap (b) Starch
(c) PVC (d) Triglyceride
5. Which one of the following is an inorganic polymer:
(a) Graphite (b) Rubber
(c) DNA (d) Protein
6. The linear sequence of amino acids in a protein is called:
(a) Primary Structure (b) Secondary Structure
(c) Tertiary Structure (d) Quaternary structure
7. In which of these processes are small organic molecules made into macromolecule:
(a) The cracking of petroleum fractions (b) The fractional distillation of crude oil
(c) Formation of Polyethene (d) The hydrolysis of proteins
8. Which of these polymers is synthetic:
(a) Animal fat (b) Starch
(c) Cellulose (d) Polyester
9. Which Carbohydrate can be used for silvering of mirror:
(a) Glucose (b) Fructose
(c) Maltose (d) all
10. Monosaccharide contains carbon atoms:
(a) 3 to 6 (b) 3 to 7
(c) 6-7 (d) 7-10
11. Which of the following is not obtained by condensation polymerization:
(a) Polyester (b) Nylon
(c) Polystyrene (d) None
12. Which of the following is a Polyamide:
(a) Polyester (b) Orlon
(c) Polystyrene (d) Nylon
13. Orlon is polymer of:
(a) T.F.E (b) Acrylonitrile
(c) Ethanoic acid (d) Benzene
14. The raw material used to from Nylon is
(a) Adipic acid (b) Butadiene
(c) Isoprene (d) Ethylene
15. The example of Copolymer:
(a) Polyester (b) Polystyrene
(c) Polyethene (d) None
16. Poly vinyl acetate is used as:
(a) Explosive material (b) Adhesive material
(c) Rubber (d) Filler
17. Polyamide resins are formed by condensation of poly amines with aliphatic:
(a) Carboxylic acid (b) Alcohol
(c) Aldehydes (d) Dicarboxylic acid
18. The Epoxy resin is made by condensation of Epichlorohydrin with:
(b) Diphenylol propane (b) Phenyl propane
(c) Phenyl acetate (d) Dicarboxylic acid
19. The table sugar is:
a. Glucose (b) Sucrose
(c) Maltose (d) Lactose
20. Raffinose is an example of :
a. Mono saccharide (b) Disaccharide
(c) Trisaccharide (d) None
21. The example of compound protein is:
a. Phosphoprotein (b) Peptones
(c) Albumin (d) Globulins
22. The optimum PH of salivary amylase is from 6.4 to:
(a) 6.8 (b) 6.9
(c) 7.0 (d) None
Photon Academy Of Science
 8
MACROMOLECULES

23. The reagent which forms crystalline glucosazone derivative when treated withglucose is:
a. Fehling solution (b) Phenyl hydrazine
(c) Benedict solution (d) Hydroxyl amine
24. Ascorbic acid is a chemical name of:
a. Vitamin D (b) Vitamin A
(c) Vitamin C (d) Vitamin B6
25. The main structural feature of proteins is:
a. An ester linkage (b) An ether linkage
(c) The peptide linkage (d) All
26. The fiber which is made from acrylonitrile as monomer is: (LHR-09)
a. PVC (b) Rayon fiber
(c) Acrylic fiber (d) Polyester fiber
27. The disaccharide present in milk is:
a. Sucrose (b) Maltose
(c) Lactose (d) Cellobiose
28. On hydrolysis of starch, we finally get:
a. Glucose (b) Fructose
(c) Both a and b (d) Sucrose
29. Enzymes in the living systems:
a. Provide energy (b) Provide immunity
(c) Transport oxygen (d) Catalyze biochemical processes
30. Bakelite is obtained from phenol by reacting with:
a. Acetaldehyde (b) Acetal
(c) Formaldehyde (d) Chlorobenzene
31. Enzyme used for the treatment of blood cancer in children is: (GRW-10)
a. Cellulose (b) Urease
(c) L-asparaginase (d) lactic dehydrogenase
32. Which of the following is not present in nucleotide:
a. Guanine (b) Cytosine
(c) Adenine (d) Tyrosine
33. Which of the following has magnesium in its structure:
a. Carbonic anhydrase (b) Haemocyanin
(c) Chlorophyll (d) Vitamin B12
34. The number of amino acids found in proteins that a human body can synthesize is35.
(a) 20 (b) 10
(c) 5 (d) 14
Which of the following is an example of Ketohexose:
(a) Glucose (b) Raffinose
(c) Maltose (d) Fructose

36. The group linkage present in Carbohydrates:

(a) Peptide linkage (b) Ester linkage
(c) Glycosidic linkage (d) Diester linkage
37. Teflon, styrene and Neoprene are all:
(a) Copolymers (b) Condensation polymers
(c) Homopolymers (d) Monomers
38. Which of the following is fully fluorinated polymer?
(a) Neoprene (b) Teflon
(c) Thiokol (d) PVC
39. The degree of unsaturation of a fat or an oil is checked by its:
(a) Hydrogenation number (b) Iodine number
(c) Saponification number (d) Octane number
40. Starch is a polymer of:
(a) Fructose (b) -D-Glucose
(c) Sucrose (d) Lactose
41. Which one of the following enzymes brings about the hydrolysis of fats?
(a) Urease (b) Maltase
(c) Zymase (d) Lipase
42. Which of these polymers is an addition polymer?
(a) Nylon-6,6 (b) Polystyrene
(c) Terylene (d) Epoxy resin
Photon Academy Of Science
 9
MACROMOLECULES

43. Epoxy resins are fundamentally:

(a) Polyamide (b) Polyethers
(c) Polyesters (d) Polyvinyl
44. Which one of the following acid is used to prepare synthetic fiber?
(a) Carbonic acid (b) Formic acid
(c) Acetic acid (d) Butyric acid
45. Which statement about glucose and sucrose is incorrect?
(a) Both are soluble in water (b) Both occur naturally
(c) Both are carbohydrates (d) Both are disaccharides
46. The fiber which is made from acrylonitrile as monomer is:
(a) PVC (b) Rayon fiber (c) Acrylic Fiber (d) polyester
fiber
47. Which of these polymers is an addition polymer?
(a) Polystyrene (b) Nylon-6,6 (c) Polyester (d) Epoxy resin
48. Enzyme used for the treatment of blood cancer in children is:
(a) Cellulose (b) Urease
(c) L-Asparginase (d) Lactic dehydrogenase
49. Nylon-6,6 is obtained by heating hexa methylene diamine with: (FSD 2010)
(a) Adipic acid (b) Acetic acid
(c) Vinyl chloride (d) Acrylic acid
50. Polymerization of acrylonitrile give: (FSD 2011)

(a) PVC (b) Rayon Fiber

(c) Acrylic fiber (d) Polyester fib

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
d d a d a a c d a b
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
c d c a a b d a b c
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
a b b c c c c a d c
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
c d c b d c c b b b
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
d b b c d c a c a c

Photon Academy Of Science

 10
MACROMOLECULES

Photon Academy Of Science