Key term
AQA A-Level Chemistry 7405
Atomic Structure
Topic overviewFundamental ParticlesMass Number and IsotopesTime of Flight Mass Spectrometry: Ionisation and AccelerationTime of Flight Mass Spectrometry: Drift, Detection and Calculating m/zElectron Configuration: Sub-shells and OrbitalsElectron Configuration: Writing Configurations for Atoms and IonsIonisation Energies and Periodic Trends
Amount of Substance
Topic overviewRelative Atomic and Molecular MassThe Mole and the Avogadro ConstantThe Ideal Gas EquationEmpirical and Molecular FormulaBalanced Equations and Reaction CalculationsAtom Economy and Percentage YieldAcid-Base Titrations: Principles, Indicators and ApparatusAcid-Base Titrations: Standard Solutions and Calculations
Bonding
Topic overviewIonic BondingCovalent, Dative Covalent and Metallic BondingCrystal Structures: Giant Ionic Lattices and DiamondCrystal Structures: Graphite and Simple Molecular SolidsShapes of Molecules and Ions: VSEPR and Electron Pair RepulsionShapes of Molecules and Ions: Predicting Shapes and Bond AnglesElectronegativity and Bond PolarityIntermolecular Forces
Energetics and Thermodynamics
Kinetics
Topic overviewCollision Theory and Activation EnergyMaxwell-Boltzmann Distribution and the Effect of TemperatureEffect of Concentration and Pressure, and CatalystsRate Equations: The Rate Equation and Orders of ReactionRate Equations: The Effect of Concentration on RateThe Rate Constant and the Arrhenius EquationDetermining Rate Equations: The Initial Rates MethodDetermining Rate Equations: Continuous MonitoringRate Equations and Reaction Mechanisms
Chemical Equilibria
Redox and Electrochemistry
Topic overviewRedox: Definitions and the Rules for Oxidation StatesRedox: Identifying Oxidation and Reduction in a ReactionHalf-Equations and Combined Redox EquationsStandard Electrode Potentials and the Hydrogen ElectrodeElectrochemical Cells and EMF CalculationsPredicting Redox Reactions from Electrode PotentialsCommercial Cells and Fuel Cells
Acids and Bases
Periodicity and Group Chemistry
Topic overviews, p, d and f Block ClassificationTrends in Period 3Group 2 Trends in Atomic Radius, Ionisation Energy and Melting PointReactions of Group 2 with WaterSolubility Trends of Group 2 HydroxidesSolubility Trends of Group 2 SulfatesUses of Group 2 CompoundsTest for Sulfate IonsTrends in Electronegativity and Boiling Point of HalogensHalogens as Oxidising Agents and Displacement ReactionsHalide Ions as Reducing Agents: Chloride and BromideHalide Ions as Reducing Agents: Iodide, and the EquationsTest for Halide Ions Using Silver NitrateTests for Ammonium, Group 2, Hydroxide and Carbonate IonsReactions of Chlorine with WaterReactions of Chlorine with Cold Dilute NaOH and Water Treatment
Period 3 Elements and Their Oxides
Topic overviewReactions of Na and Mg with WaterPeriod 3 Elements with Oxygen: The Oxides Formed and Their BondingPeriod 3 Elements with Oxygen: Structures and Oxidation StatesMelting Points of Period 3 OxidesPeriod 3 Oxides with Water: Sodium and Magnesium OxidesPeriod 3 Oxides with Water: The Acidic Oxides and the pH TrendPeriod 3 Oxides with Acids and Bases: The ReactionsPeriod 3 Oxides with Acids and Bases: Acidic, Basic and Amphoteric
Transition Metals
Topic overviewGeneral Properties of Transition MetalsComplex Ions: Ligands, Coordinate Bonds and DenticityComplex Ions: Why a Species Can Act as a Ligand, and Coordination NumberSubstitution Reactions with Monodentate LigandsSubstitution Reactions with Bidentate and Multidentate LigandsHaemoglobin and the Chelate EffectShapes of Complex Ions and StereoisomerismFormation of Coloured Ions and the d-d TransitionColorimetry and Concentration DeterminationVariable Oxidation States and Vanadium ChemistryTollens' Reagent and Redox TitrationsHeterogeneous CatalysisVanadium(V) Oxide and the Contact ProcessHomogeneous Catalysis and AutocatalysisMetal-Aqua Ions and AcidityMetal Aqua Ions with Bases: Reactions with Hydroxide and AmmoniaMetal Aqua Ions with Bases: Why They React, and Their EquationsAmphoteric HydroxidesIdentifying Transition Metal Ions by Test-Tube Reactions
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Hydrocarbons
Topic overviewAlkanes, Fractional Distillation and CrackingCombustion of Alkanes and PollutantsFree Radical Chlorination of AlkanesAlkenes: Structure, Bonding and Electrophilic AdditionMarkovnikov's Rule and Carbocation StabilityAddition Polymers and Repeating UnitsProperties and Uses of Polyalkenes
Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Organic Analysis
Topic overviewNucleophilic Substitution of HalogenoalkanesEffect of Bond Enthalpy on Reaction RateElimination Reactions and Competing MechanismsCFCs and Ozone DepletionIndustrial Production of AlcoholsBiofuels and Carbon NeutralityClassification and Oxidation of AlcoholsDistinguishing Aldehydes and KetonesElimination of Water from AlcoholsTest-Tube Reactions for Functional GroupsMass Spectrometry and Molecular FormulaInfrared Spectroscopy, Functional Groups and Global Warming
Carbonyls, Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
Topic overviewOxidation of Aldehydes and Distinguishing TestsReduction of Carbonyls with NaBH4Nucleophilic Addition with KCN and Hydroxynitrile FormationHazards of KCN and Formation of EnantiomersStructure and Acidity of Carboxylic AcidsEsterification and the Uses of EstersVegetable Oils, Fats and the Hydrolysis of EstersSoap and Biodiesel Production from FatsStructure of Acid Anhydrides, Acyl Chlorides and AmidesNucleophilic Addition-Elimination Reactions of Acyl ChloridesAcid Anhydrides and the Industrial Synthesis of AspirinPurifying organic solids and liquids
Aromatic Chemistry and Amines
Topic overviewBonding and Stability of BenzeneElectrophilic Substitution: NitrationElectrophilic Substitution: Friedel-Crafts AcylationPreparation of Aliphatic and Aromatic AminesBase Strength of AminesAmines as Nucleophiles, and Quaternary Ammonium SaltsAmines with Acyl Chlorides and Acid Anhydrides
Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA
Topic overviewCondensation Polymers: PolyestersCondensation Polymers: PolyamidesIntermolecular Forces in Condensation PolymersBiodegradability and Disposal of PolymersAmino Acids and ZwitterionsPeptide Bonds and Protein StructureHydrogen Bonding and Disulfide Bridges in ProteinsHydrolysis of Proteins and TLC IdentificationEnzymes, Active Sites and Inhibitors in Drug DesignDNA: Nucleotides, the Double Helix and Base PairingCisplatin and Anticancer Drug Action
Organic Synthesis, NMR and Chromatography
Topic overviewMulti-Step Synthesis RoutesGreen Chemistry Principles in Synthesis DesignPrinciples of NMR and the Delta ScaleCarbon-13 NMR InterpretationProton NMR Chemical Shift and IntegrationSpin-Spin Splitting and the n+1 RuleTMS and Deuterated SolventsThin-Layer Chromatography and Rf ValuesColumn and Gas Chromatography, and GC-MS
Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA
- 11 subtopics
- 33 things to know
- Papers 2 and 3
What Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA covers
Polymers, amino acids, proteins and DNA is examined on Papers 2 and 3. It covers condensation polymers and their disposal, then the amino acids, proteins, enzymes and nucleic acids built by the same chemistry, and finishes with the action of cisplatin.
Where it is assessed
Papers 2 and 3
Organic and the physical chemistry behind it, then the synoptic paper.
Check the AQA specification ↗The 11 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Condensation Polymers: PolyestersThe monomers, the ester link, and drawing the repeating unit.Open →
- Condensation Polymers: PolyamidesNylon and Kevlar, the amide link, and the monomers each is made from.Open →
- Intermolecular Forces in Condensation PolymersWhy hydrogen bonding makes polyamides stronger than polyesters.Open →
- Biodegradability and Disposal of PolymersWhy polyalkenes are inert, why condensation polymers hydrolyse, and the disposal options.Open →
- Amino Acids and ZwitterionsThe amino and carboxyl groups, how a zwitterion forms, and the form an amino acid takes in acidic and in alkaline solution.Open →
- Peptide Bonds and Protein StructureThe peptide link, and the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of structure.Open →
- Hydrogen Bonding and Disulfide Bridges in ProteinsThe bonds that hold secondary and tertiary structure in place.Open →
- Hydrolysis of Proteins and TLC IdentificationHydrolysing a protein to its amino acids, and identifying them by thin-layer chromatography.Open →
- Enzymes, Active Sites and Inhibitors in Drug DesignEnzymes as protein catalysts, the stereospecific active site, and how an inhibitor is designed to block it.Open →
- DNA: Nucleotides, the Double Helix and Base PairingNucleotides built from a phosphate, deoxyribose and a base, and the hydrogen-bonded pairing that holds the helix together.Open →
- Cisplatin and Anticancer Drug ActionHow cisplatin binds guanine to block replication, and weighing its benefits against its side effects.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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What is an amino acid, and what is a zwitterion?
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What type of intermolecular force exists between polyester chains?
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Why are the intermolecular forces in polyamides stronger than those in polyesters?
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What two types of monomers react together to form polyesters?
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What two types of monomers react together to form polyamides?
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What is a typical use of nylon 6,6?
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Why are polyalkenes chemically inert?
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What does it mean for polyalkenes to be non-biodegradable?
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What two types of functional groups are present in an amino acid?
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What type of bond joins amino acids together in proteins?
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What is the name of the functional group formed when two amino acids join together?
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What type of bonding helps maintain the tertiary structure of proteins?
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In the α-helix secondary structure, what type of interaction holds the helix in shape?
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What is the name of the bond that is broken during protein hydrolysis?
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What technique can be used to separate amino acids after protein hydrolysis?
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What is the active site of an enzyme?
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What does stereospecific mean in the context of an enzyme's active site?
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What three components make up a nucleotide in DNA?
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Name the four bases found in DNA nucleotides.
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What type of reaction does cisplatin undergo with DNA?
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Which atom on guanine does platinum bond to in the cisplatin-DNA interaction?
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What functional group links the repeating units in a polyester?
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What is a typical use of Kevlar?
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What type of intermolecular force exists between polyamide chains?
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Why can polyesters be hydrolysed?
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What is a zwitterion?
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What is the primary structure of a protein?
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In β-pleated sheets, what type of interaction holds the structure together?
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Name two developing agents that can be used to locate amino acids on a chromatogram.
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Why can a stereospecific active site only bind to one enantiomeric form of a substrate?
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How is the phosphate ion bonded within a nucleotide?
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What consideration must society make when evaluating drugs like cisplatin?
Take Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Peptide bond vs Disulfide bridge
Peptide bond: an amide link joining amino-acid residues. Disulfide bridge: a covalent sulfur-sulfur link stabilising protein structure.
Addition polymer vs Condensation polymer
Addition polymer: a macromolecule formed without loss of a small molecule. Condensation polymer: a macromolecule formed with elimination of a small molecule.
Competitive inhibitor vs Non-competitive inhibitor
Competitive inhibitor: a species occupying an enzyme active site. Non-competitive inhibitor: a species binding elsewhere and changing active-site shape.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What type of reaction forms condensation polymers?
Model answer
Condensation reactions
- 2
What two types of monomers react together to form polyesters?
Model answer
Dicarboxylic acids and diols
- 3
What small molecule is eliminated when a dicarboxylic acid reacts with a diol to form a polyester?
Model answer
Water
- 4
Name a common polyester used as a textile fibre.
Model answer
Terylene
- 5
What functional group links the repeating units in a polyester?
Model answer
Ester linkage (formed from the carboxylic acid group and hydroxyl group)
- 6
What type of intermolecular forces exist between polyester molecules?
Model answer
Permanent dipole-permanent dipole forces (and van der Waals forces)
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA revision questions
- What does Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA cover in AQA A-Level Chemistry?
- 11 subtopics: condensation polymers: polyesters, condensation polymers: polyamides, intermolecular forces in condensation polymers, biodegradability and disposal of polymers, amino acids and zwitterions, peptide bonds and protein structure, hydrogen bonding and disulfide bridges in proteins, hydrolysis of proteins and tlc identification, enzymes, active sites and inhibitors in drug design, dna: nucleotides, the double helix and base pairing and cisplatin and anticancer drug action. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA organised?
- By the AQA 7405 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA, on a schedule.
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