polymerizes
Links into chains
Polymerizes means joins small molecules (monomers) into long chains or networks called polymers.
The term appears in chemistry and materials science: The resin polymerizes when exposed to UV light.
Many plastics, rubbers, and biological molecules like proteins form through polymerization.
The process can occur naturally or be induced by heat, light, or catalysts.
Agent enabling change
- initiatorOne who starts something
- monomerChain-forming molecule
- radicalsAdvocates for fundamental change
- propagationAct of spreading widely
termination · nucleation · Ziegler-Natta · kinetics · reactivity · anionic · cationic · ring-opening
Very large molecular structures
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- crosslinkingChemical bonds between polymers
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
- networkInterconnected system
matrix · crystallinity · amorphous · linear
Heat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
- thermosettingHardens permanently when heated
- elastomerStretchable polymer substance
- resinViscous plant secretion
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
polypropylene · polystyrene · PVC · nylon · acrylic · polycarbonate · PET · ABS
Nucleic acid synthesis enzyme
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- ribosomesCellular translation machinery
- nucleotidesDNA and RNA subunits
biopolymer · collagen · cellulose · chitin · lignin · polysaccharides
catalyst
Agent enabling change
- initiatorOne who starts something
- monomerChain-forming molecule
- radicalsAdvocates for fundamental change
propagation · termination · nucleation · Ziegler-Natta · kinetics · reactivity · anionic · cationic · ring-opening
macromolecules
Very large molecular structures
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- crosslinkingChemical bonds between polymers
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
network · matrix · crystallinity · amorphous · linear
thermoplastic
Heat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
- thermosettingHardens permanently when heated
- elastomerStretchable polymer substance
- resinViscous plant secretion
polyethylene · polypropylene · polystyrene · PVC · nylon · acrylic · polycarbonate · PET · ABS · HDPE
polymerase
Nucleic acid synthesis enzyme
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- ribosomesCellular translation machinery
nucleotides · biopolymer · collagen · cellulose · chitin · lignin · polysaccharides
polymerizesdegrades
Diminishes in quality
decomposes · breaks down · fragments · hydrolyzes · cleaves
polymerize, polymerization, polymerized, polymerizing, polymerizations