Basic biochemistry and synthetic polymers: WAEC Chemistry Past Questions and Answers

What the WAEC syllabus covers in Basic biochemistry and synthetic polymers

Our summary: Proteins, amino acids, fats and oils, carbohydrates and synthetic polymers, including soap-making and tests for each.

• Proteins (Proteins as polymers of amino acids molecules linked by peptide or amide linkage.)
• Proteins: sources and properties (Physical properties e.g. solubility. Chemical properties to include: (a) hydrolysis of proteins; (b) laboratory test using Ninhydrin/Biuret reagent/Millon's reagent.)
• Proteins: uses of protein
• Amino acids ((1) Nomenclature and general structure of amino acids. (2) Difunctional nature of amino acids.)
• Fats/oils (As alkyl alkanoates (esters).)
• Fats/oils: sources and properties (From animals and plants. Physical properties such as solubility. Chemical properties: (a) acidic and alkaline hydrolysis; (b) hydrogenation; (c) test for fats and oil.)
• Fats/oils: general structure of fats/oils (As mono-, di-, and tri- esters of propane-1,2,3-triol (glycerol).)
• Fats/oils: preparation of soap ((1) Preparation of soap (saponification) from fats and oils. (2) Comparison of soapless detergents and their action on soft and hard water.)
• Fats/oils: uses of fats/oils
• Carbohydrates: sources and nomenclature ((1) Classes of carbohydrates as: (a) monosaccharides; (b) disaccharides; (c) polysaccharides. (2) Name and components of various classes of carbohydrates.)
• Carbohydrates: properties ((1) Physical properties such as solubility of sugars. (2) Chemical properties - hydrolysis of disaccharides into monosaccharides. (3) Test for reducing sugars using sugar strips, Fehling's or Benedict's solution or Tollens' reagent.)
• Carbohydrates: carbohydrate as examples of polymer ((1) Starch as a polymer made up of glucose units. (2) Condensation of monosaccharides to form disaccharides and polysaccharides.)
• Carbohydrates: uses
• Synthetic polymers ((1) Definition of terms: monomers, polymers and polymerization. (2) Addition and condensation polymerization. (3) Classification and preparation based on the monomers and comonomers.)
• Synthetic polymers: properties ((1) Thermoplastics and thermosets. (2) Modification of properties of polymers. (3) Plastics and resins. (4) Chemical test on plastics using: (a) heat; (b) acids; (c) alkalis.)
• Synthetic polymers: uses of polymers

Syllabus content © The West African Examinations Council (WASSCE (harmonised West African syllabus)).