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Condensation and Hydrolysis Reaction Simulator

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About This MicroSim

This simulation demonstrates the two fundamental reactions that build and break biological polymers:

  • Condensation (dehydration synthesis) — two monomers join together, releasing a water molecule (\(\ce{H2O}\)). The \(\ce{-OH}\) group from one monomer and the \(\ce{H-}\) from the other combine to form water. This reaction requires energy input.

  • Hydrolysis — a water molecule splits and its components (\(\ce{-OH}\) and \(\ce{H-}\)) reattach to the broken bond ends, freeing a monomer. This reaction releases energy.

Students can observe these reactions across three polymer types: polypeptides (amino acids), polysaccharides (glucose units), and polynucleotides (nucleotides).

How to Use

  1. Select a reaction type from the dropdown: Polypeptide, Polysaccharide, or Polynucleotide
  2. Click "Add Monomer" to watch a condensation reaction — observe the red-highlighted atoms that leave to form water
  3. Click "Hydrolyze" to break the last bond — watch water split and reattach to the freed monomers
  4. Click "Build to 5" to rapidly build a short polymer chain
  5. Watch the energy indicator (upper right) to see whether energy is required or released
  6. Track the water counter to see how many water molecules have been released

Key Observations

  • Each condensation reaction removes one \(\ce{H2O}\) and requires energy
  • Each hydrolysis reaction consumes one \(\ce{H2O}\) and releases energy
  • The number of bonds is always one less than the number of monomers
  • The same \(\ce{-OH}\) and \(\ce{H-}\) pattern applies to all three polymer types

Iframe Embed Code

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<iframe src="https://dmccreary.github.io/biology/sims/condensation-hydrolysis/main.html"
        height="532"
        width="100%"
        scrolling="no"></iframe>

Lesson Plan

Grade Level

9-12 (AP Biology)

Duration

10-15 minutes

Prerequisites

  • Understanding of atoms and chemical bonds
  • Familiarity with the concept of monomers and polymers

Activities

  1. Exploration (5 min): Students select each reaction type and perform 3-4 condensation reactions, observing which atoms leave to form water.
  2. Guided Practice (5 min): Students hydrolyze the chain back to individual monomers, noting the energy direction change and water consumption.
  3. Assessment (5 min): Students answer: "Why is condensation also called dehydration synthesis?" and "Where does the water molecule come from during condensation?"

Assessment

  • Students can identify which atoms (\(\ce{-OH}\) and \(\ce{H-}\)) leave to form water
  • Students can explain why condensation requires energy and hydrolysis releases energy
  • Students can predict how many water molecules are produced when building a 6-monomer chain

References

  1. Dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis — Khan Academy
  2. Campbell Biology, 12th Edition — Chapter 5: The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules