polymer

polymer

1. Polymer is a molecule. Made by the combinations of monomers

   • Monomers are small molecules that can be combined.
     • Natural Polymers: found naturally in the environment. They occur naturally, are produced from a biological process, and most are easily degraded biological processes.
       • Examples
         • Protein, Carbohydrates, and natural rubber
           • Protein is made by monomers of amino acids, to produce the polymer, protein
           • Monomer of glucose produces polymer of carbs.
           • Monomer of isoprene produces polymer.
     • Synthetic Polymers: They are produced artificially by humans. They do not occur naturally, are produced by chemical processes, and are hard to degrade naturally using biological processes.
       • Examples:
         • Plastics, Fibres, and Elastomer
           • They are produced by Polymerization. There are two types.
             • Condensation polymerization
             • Addition polymerization
       • The raw materials of the synthetic polymers are usually obtained from petroleum, after refining and cracking.