What are polymers?
Polymers are molecules which consist of a long, repeating chain of smaller units called monomers. Polymers have the highest molecular weight among any molecules, and may consist of billions of atoms. Human DNA is a polymer with over 20 billion constituent atoms. Proteins, or the polymers of amino acids, and many other molecules that make up life are polymers. Polymers are the largest and most diverse class of known molecules. They even include plastics. Monomers are molecules typically about 4-10 atoms in size, reactive in that they bond readily to other monomers in a process called polymerization. Polymers and their polymerization processes are so diverse that a variety of different systems exist to classify them. One major type of polymerization is condensation polymerization, where reacting molecules release water as a byproduct. This is the means by which all proteins are formed.
Tiny molecules strung in long repeating chains form polymers. Why should you care? Well for one thing, your body is made of them. DNA, the genetic blueprint that defines people and other living things, is a polymer. So are the proteins and starches in the foods we eat, the wheels on our skateboards and in-line skates, and the tires on our bikes and cars. In fact, we re surrounded by polymers every day, everywhere we go. There s another great reason to learn about polymers. Understanding their chemistry can help us use them wisely. Once we re familiar with the varieties of polymers that people make, such as plastics, we can recycle many of them and use them again. That s good for the environment.
