natural biopolymers (1 Viewer)

[Serius]

hey guys i know that cotton, wool and silk are biopolymers because they are produced by living things, but what about other stuff like linnen? or are those 3 the only natural biopolymers. if there are more could you tell me what they are?

thanks, this isnt for an assignment or anything, just iam curious cause whilst doing my assignment on biopolymers it made me think what else is a natural biopolymer

 

[Slidey]

hey guys i know that cotton, wool and silk are biopolymers because they are produced by living things, but what about other stuff like linnen? or are those 3 the only natural biopolymers. if there are more could you tell me what they are?

thanks, this isnt for an assignment or anything, just iam curious cause whilst doing my assignment on biopolymers it made me think what else is a natural biopolymer

Cotton, wool and silk are NOT biopolymers. They are mainly comprised of a biopolymer, though: cellulose.

A natural polymer is: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A synthetic semi-organic polymer is: Silicone (stuff they put in breast implants, bouncing putty, et cetera)

 

[Serius]

thanks for the clarification slide rule, my textbook was pretty unclear about that point and silcone eh? i didnt know that one

 

[Slidey]

No problem. I think another natural polymer is rubber (although an identical polymer can be man-made, it's origins are from the rubber tree).

EDIT: Oh, proteins are, too. And by the looks of it silk specifically is a polymer.

EDIT 2: Australian and New Zealand banknotes are made out of a polymer called 'polymer substrate'.

 

[Serius]

so enzymes are polymers?

 

[Slidey]

Enzymes are polymers and catalysts

Here, this might interest you: http://www.psrc.usm.edu/macrog/natupoly.htm

EDIT: One last thing: Our skin, hair and toenails are made of polymer: keratin.