Reactions of alkenes and alcohols (chemistry only) common mistakes

Common mistakes

• Confusing condensation with addition polymerisation

  Students think that condensation polymerisation is the same as addition polymerisation and therefore assume no small molecules are lost.

  Fix itExplain that in condensation polymerisation two functional groups on each monomer react, forming a covalent bond and releasing a small molecule such as water; contrast this with addition polymerisation where monomers join without loss of small molecules.

• Confusing Monomers and Polymers

  Students often confuse monomers with polymers, thinking they are the same.

  Fix itRemember that monomers are the small repeating units that join together to form polymers, which are large molecules made up of many monomers.

• Confusing Condensation with Addition Polymerisation

  Students often confuse condensation polymerisation with addition polymerisation, thinking that both processes involve the same type of reaction.

  Fix itTo fix this, remember that condensation polymerisation involves monomers with two functional groups and results in the loss of small molecules like water, while addition polymerisation involves monomers with a double bond and does not produce any small molecules.

• Confusing Functional Groups

  Students often confuse the two functional groups present in amino acids, thinking they only have one.

  Fix itRemember that amino acids contain both an amine group (–NH2) and a carboxylic acid group (–COOH).

• Confusing Polymerisation Types

  Students often confuse condensation polymerisation with addition polymerisation, thinking they are the same process.

  Fix itRemember that condensation polymerisation involves the loss of small molecules like water, while addition polymerisation does not produce any by-products.

• Misunderstanding Glycine Polymerisation

  Students often confuse glycine polymerisation with other types of reactions, thinking it involves simple addition rather than condensation.

  Fix itEmphasize that glycine polymerises through condensation polymerisation, where water is released as the amino acids join to form polypeptides.

• Misunderstanding Protein Formation

  Students often think that all amino acids are identical and can be combined in any order without affecting the protein's function.

  Fix itEmphasize that the sequence and specific types of amino acids determine the protein's structure and function, highlighting the importance of the order in which they are combined.

• Confusing DNA with RNA

  Students often confuse DNA with RNA, thinking they are the same molecule.

  Fix itRemember that DNA is a double-stranded molecule that stores genetic information, while RNA is usually single-stranded and plays a role in protein synthesis.

• Misunderstanding DNA Function

  Students often confuse DNA's role as a carrier of genetic information with its physical structure, thinking that DNA itself is the instructions.

  Fix itClarify that DNA is the molecule that encodes genetic instructions, while the instructions are derived from the sequence of bases within the DNA.

• Confusing DNA Structure

  Students often think that DNA is made up of a single chain of nucleotides instead of two chains.

  Fix itRemember that DNA consists of two polymer chains that form a double helix structure.