Question

Polymerization and the break down of a polymer are two opposite reactions. What role does a water molecule play in both of them?

Answer 1

So first, let's talk about "polymers" and "monomers."

Houses are made of bricks, right? Yes.

So, let's pretend that we have a house.
The HOUSE is a POLYMER.

Again, houses are made of a bunch of bricks, put together.
Every BRICK is a MONOMER.

So do you get the whole point now?
Polymers are made of monomers, joined together.

House >> Polymer
Brick >> Monomer

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Now, when monomers join together, to make a polymer,
water gets taken out.

This is called "dehydration synthesis."

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If we add water to the polymer,
we can break the polymer into little monomers again.

This is called "hydrolysis."

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Do you have any questions?

Answer 2

First of all @chancever97 : A Warm Welcome to 'Open Study'. Please Read CoC (compulsory to read by all "Open Study" users) : http://openstudy.com/code-of-conduct