polymers
Long molecular chains
Polymers are large molecules made of repeating structural units called monomers, linked in long chains.
Plastics, rubber, and DNA are polymers.
The term comes from Greek words meaning "many parts." Natural polymers include cellulose and proteins; synthetic ones include nylon and polyethylene.
The strength of polymers depends on how their molecular chains are arranged.
Pull to extend
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- rubberElastic polymer from trees
- tensileCapable of elongation
spandex · neoprene · silicone · recoil · springiness · viscoelasticity · elongation · recovery
Plant wall polysaccharide
- starchComplex plant carbohydrate
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- ligninStructural plant polymer
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
silk · wool · cotton · rubber · latex · DNA · RNA · collagen
Synthetic textile polymer
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- polyesterSynthetic petroleum-based fabric
polyurethane · polycarbonate · PVC · kevlar · Teflon · epoxy · acrylic · ABS
Viscous plant secretion
- compositeMade of distinct parts
- fiberglassReinforced woven strand composite
- laminateBond thin layers together
- thermosetPermanently cross-linked polymer
thermoplastic · silicone · foam · film · fiber · membrane · coating · adhesive
Suspended particle systems
- gelsSets or coagulates
- hydrogelsWater-swollen polymer networks
- self-assemblySpontaneous structural organization
- surfactantsAgents reducing surface tension
melting · solution · emulsion · dispersion · swelling · diffusion · relaxation · dynamics
Single molecular units
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- chainLinked segments forming length
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
- bondingForming close connections
linear · branching · crosslinking · copolymer · network · crystallinity
Able to decompose naturally
- bio-basedDerived from living matter
- renewableCapable of restoration
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- bioplasticPlant-derived synthetic material
cellulosic · environmental · sustainability · carbon-neutral
Very large molecule
- polypeptideAmino acid polymer
- polysaccharideChained sugar molecule
- micelleSurfactant molecular cluster
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
aggregation · entanglement · coil · globule
stretch
Pull to extend
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- rubberElastic polymer from trees
tensile · spandex · neoprene · silicone · recoil · springiness · viscoelasticity · elongation · recovery · vulcanization
cellulose
Plant wall polysaccharide
proteins · silk · wool · cotton · rubber · latex · DNA · RNA · collagen · keratin
nylon
Synthetic textile polymer
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
polyester · polyurethane · polycarbonate · PVC · kevlar · Teflon · epoxy · acrylic · ABS · PET
resin
Viscous plant secretion
- compositeMade of distinct parts
- fiberglassReinforced woven strand composite
- laminateBond thin layers together
thermoset · thermoplastic · silicone · foam · film · fiber · membrane · coating · adhesive · sealant
colloids
Suspended particle systems
- gelsSets or coagulates
- hydrogelsWater-swollen polymer networks
- self-assemblySpontaneous structural organization
surfactants · melting · solution · emulsion · dispersion · swelling · diffusion · relaxation · dynamics · morphology
monomers
Single molecular units
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- chainLinked segments forming length
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
bonding · linear · branching · crosslinking · copolymer · network · crystallinity
compostable
Able to decompose naturally
- bio-basedDerived from living matter
- renewableCapable of restoration
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
bioplastic · cellulosic · environmental · sustainability · carbon-neutral
macromolecule
Very large molecule
- polypeptideAmino acid polymer
- polysaccharideChained sugar molecule
- micelleSurfactant molecular cluster
vesicle · aggregation · entanglement · coil · globule
- chemistryatom, atoms, organic chemistry, molecule, chemistry
- organic compoundshydrocarbon, alcohol, alkane, ethane, propane
- construction chemicalsadmixtures, plasticizers, accelerators, retarders, sealants
- Dielectricsmica, polyethylene, permittivity, polystyrene, Teflon
- Multimersdimers
- materialsmetal, metals, wood, ceramic, fabric
polymersmonomers
Single molecular units
atoms · building blocks · ions · elements
- DNA polymeraseEnzyme that copies chromosomes
- Taq polymeraseHeat-resistant replication enzyme
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