A polymer is a giant molecule formed by many smaller molecules called monomers. They form in the process of condensation, and water is freed. They break apart in the process of hydrolysis, when water is used up. Condensation Hydrolysis

A natural polymer is a polymer that is found naturally in nature they range from the shells of different crustaceans, to wood, potatoes, and most importantly DNA and RNA. It can easily be said that there is a natural polymer in just about everything not created by people. The formation of plastics and textiles and fake rubbers (along with many other synthetic polymers) have all been created by looking at, than experimenting with natural polymers. “Optical micrograph shows a cluster of tiny beads filled with bone cells. The beads are made with alginate, a natural polymer found in certain types of seaweed.”

As seen in the other presentations, the name is derived from the Alkanes, Alkenes, and Alkynes that they are derived from. In The case of polymers, the name is taken from the monomers that form the polymer. A more complex way of naming a natural polymer is by stating the order of the amino acids, which can number from 50 to 1,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,0 00,000,000,000,00 0,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,0 00.(10^66) An example of this huge number is insulin. Poly N-acetylglucosamine (chitin)

A polypeptide is by literal terms a linear chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds( when two amino acids link together it is known as a peptide bond). “Protein, though used colloquially to refer to any polypeptide, refers to larger or fully functional forms and can consist of several polypeptide chains as well as single chains. Proteins can also be modified to include non- peptide components, such as saccharide chains and lipids”..Poly peptides all have side chains that in essence determines the chemical properties of the amino acid. “Primary Structure The sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain The sequence of R groups determines the properties of the protein A change of a single amino acid can alter the function of the protein Secondary Structure Folding and coiling due to H bond formation between carboxyl and amino groups of non-adjacent amino acid. R groups are NOT involved.”

Alpha Helix

Nucleic acids are more seen in the end bonds of a chemical chain(commonly named nucleotides). The numbers they are primarily seen at are the 3 and 5 positions. There are three components to a nucleotide, a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nucleotide base. “Nucleic acids are polymers formed from linking of various nucleotides”

Polysaccharides are used in structure and in energy storage, they are primarily called “sugars” or “carbohydrates” as well as being seen in chitin ( The shells of seafood.)