polymerise
Form long chains
To polymerise is to undergo or cause polymerisation—the chemical process by which small molecules (monomers) link together to form long chains or networks called polymers.
Plastics, rubber, and many biological molecules like proteins are polymers.
The resin polymerises when exposed to UV light.
British spelling; American English uses polymerize.
Chain-forming molecule
- catalystAgent enabling change
- initiatorOne who starts something
- propagationAct of spreading widely
- terminationAct of ending something
radical · anionic · cationic · addition · condensation · reaction · nucleation · chain
Thermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- PVCChlorinated plastic abbreviation
- nylonSynthetic textile polymer
acrylic · polycarbonate · PET · HDPE · ABS · polyurethane · polyester · polyamide
Very large molecule
- thermosetPermanently cross-linked polymer
- thermoplasticHeat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
- elastomerStretchable polymer substance
- resinViscous plant secretion
Chemical bonds between polymers
- covalentSharing electrons between atoms
- networkInterconnected system
- intermolecularBetween discrete molecules
- intramolecularWithin a single molecule
branching · linear · grafting · backbone · linkage · coupling · bridging · entanglement
Nucleic acid synthesis enzyme
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- RNAGene expression molecule
- proteinFolded amino chain
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
nucleotide · transcription · replication · ribosome · peptide · fibrin · collagen · cellulose
monomer
Chain-forming molecule
- catalystAgent enabling change
- initiatorOne who starts something
- propagationAct of spreading widely
termination · radical · anionic · cationic · addition · condensation · reaction · nucleation · chain · elongation
polyethylene
Thermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- PVCChlorinated plastic abbreviation
nylon · acrylic · polycarbonate · PET · HDPE · ABS · polyurethane · polyester · polyamide · PTFE
macromolecule
Very large molecule
- thermosetPermanently cross-linked polymer
- thermoplasticHeat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
- elastomerStretchable polymer substance
resin · oligomer · hydrogel · biopolymer
crosslinking
Chemical bonds between polymers
- covalentSharing electrons between atoms
- networkInterconnected system
- intermolecularBetween discrete molecules
intramolecular · branching · linear · grafting · backbone · linkage · coupling · bridging · entanglement · crystallinity
polymerase
Nucleic acid synthesis enzyme
enzyme · nucleotide · transcription · replication · ribosome · peptide · fibrin · collagen · cellulose · chitin
polymerisedegrade
Lower in standing
decompose · hydrolyse · break down · cleave · dissociate
depolymerization, polymeric, polymerize, polymerization, polymerized, polymerizes, polymerizing, polymerisation, polymerised