Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
NATURAL POLYMERS
Starch
Homopolymer of glucose
Cellulose
Homopolymer of glucose
Chitin
Polymeric acetamidoglucose
Protein
Copolymer of amino acids
Natural rubber
Polymer of isoprene
The subject of natural polymers is quite complex because they are involved
in the structural, circulatory, transport, protective, and reproductive systems
of all living things.
is a homopolymer of glucose in the alpha-gluco-
side configuration and serves as an energy reserve for plants and an energy
source of animals.
Starch
, a structural polymer in plants, is formed by
polymerization of glucose in the beta-configuration glucoside.
Cellulose
is a
cellulose-like biopolymer found in the exoskeletons of many insects and
marine invertebrates (shrimp, crabs, etc.).
Chitin
, which are copolymers of
up to 20 amino acids, perform a myriad of functions in all living tissue.
Proteins
Natural rubber
is the only true hydrocarbon polymer found in nature. It
requires vulcanization (crosslinking) to give it good elastic properties.
