POLYMERS

POLYMERS

1. High molecular mass

   • Made of monomers
     • Covalent chemical bonds.
     • Homopolymers
       • Single monomer
     • Copolymers
       • Different monomers

2. Natural Polymers

   • Homopolymers
     • Starch, cellulose, and glycogen.
   • Copolymers
     • DNA and RNA (Nucleic acids).
   • Structural Roles
   • Physiological Functions
   • Cellular operations
     • Growth
     • Metabolism

3. Synthetic Polymers

   • Produced commercially
   • Derived from petroleum
   • Plastics
     • Polyethylene and nylon.
   • Biodegradable materials
     • Biomedical apllications
   • Smart polymers
     • React to surroundings

4. Formation

   • Polymerization
     • Covalently bonding monomers into polymers
       • Loss of chemical groups
   • Biopolymers
     • Dehydration reaction
       • Formation of water
   • Synthetic polymers
     • Addition
       • Short alkenes form long chains

5. Condensation reaction

   • Form proteins from amino acid monomers

6. Formulas

   • Reflects original monomer
     • Helps drawing of structures

7. Plastics

   • Thermoplastic
     • Softened by heat
   • Thermosetting
     • Not softened by heat