- DNA. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a polymer which is essential for life.
- Proteins. Proteins are biological polymers made inside cells.
- Starch and cellulose. Starch and cellulose are biological polymers which are made by plants.
Table of Contents
What is the importance of being a polymer for biomolecules?
When small organic molecules are joined together, they can form giant molecules or polymers. These giant molecules are also called macromolecules. Natural polymers are used to build tissue and other components in living organisms.
How are monomers and polymers related to the unity and diversity of life?
Within each class of biomolecules, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, there is unity in the fact that the same monomers are used again and again, and diversity results from putting the monomers together in different ways.
Why are organic molecules so diverse?
The diversity and amazing structural complexity seen in organic compounds is due to the unique features of the carbon atom: The carbon atom is small. The carbon atom has intermediate electronegativity, (the ability to abstract electrons from other atoms). The carbon atom can make as many as 4 bonds with other atoms.
What are the advantages of polymers?
Polymers are more resistant to chemicals than their metal counterparts. Polymer parts do not require post-treatment finishing efforts, unlike metal. Polymer and composite materials are up to ten times lighter than typical metals. Polymers are naturally radar absorbent as well as thermally and electrically insulating.
What is the importance of polymers?
Polymers help us to save energy, with lighter vehicles and insulated buildings; package consumable goods; reduce land use and fertilisers, thanks to synthetic fibres; preserve other materials using coatings; and save lives by way of countless medical applications.
What is the role of polymers in the DNA?
DNA is a polymer made from four different monomers , called nucleotides . These join together in different combinations to make long strands. In a DNA molecule , two strands wrap around each other to form a double helix structure.
Which of the following is not a biologically important polymer?
Answer and Explanation: Triglycerides (a) and glucose (c) are are not considered biological polymers.
What is the importance of the four biological macromolecules to daily life?
For example, macromolecules provide structural support, a source of stored fuel, the ability to store and retrieve genetic information, and the ability to speed biochemical reactions. Four major types of macromolecules—proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids—play these important roles in the life of a cell.
What is the unity and diversity of life?
Biological evolution explains both the unity and the diversity of species and pro- vides a unifying principle for the history and diversity of life on Earth. Biological evolution is supported by extensive scientific evidence ranging from the fossil record to genetic relationships among species.
What is the relationship between monomers and organic compounds?
A monomer is a molecule of any class of organic compounds that can bind chemically to the same molecules or other compounds to form a large molecule or polymer containing large number of repeating units of monomers. Polysaccharides, polypeptides, and polynucleotides are some of the biopolymers in living cells.
Why are organic molecules so diverse quizlet?
Carbohydrates contain a large number of oxygen atoms. Why are organic molecules so diverse compared to inorganic molecules? – There are more different kinds of atoms in organic compounds.
How are organic compounds beneficial to humans?
Carbohydrate compounds provide essential body fuel. Their structural forms include monosaccharides such as glucose, disaccharides such as lactose, and polysaccharides, including starches (polymers of glucose), glycogen (the storage form of glucose), and fiber. All body cells can use glucose for fuel.
Why are organic compounds important?
Importance of Organic Compounds Organic compounds are important because all living organisms contain carbon. They are the basic components of many of the cycles that drive the earth. For example, the carbon cycle that includes the exchange of carbon between plants and animals in photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
What impact do polymers have on the environment?
Polymers have varying environmental impacts. Such impacts include: Some monomers are said to be toxic or even to some level said to be carcinogenic. Burning of plastics produces emission that lead to production of green house gases for example, carbon dioxide.
How are polymers used in everyday life?
Product made from polymers are all around us: clothing made from synthetic fibers, polyethylene cups, fiberglass, nylon bearings, plastic bags, polymer-based paints, epoxy glue, polyurethane foam cushion, silicone heart valves, and Teflon-coated cookware.
What are the advantages of natural polymers?
Advantages of natural polymer over synthetic polymer The production cost of natural polymer is less than synthetic polymers. Natural polymers are non-toxic and safe for human use as well as for environment while synthetic polymers are pure chemicals they are not as safe as natural polymer.
What is the impact of polymers in the society?
Both types of polymers are extensively used in many applications such as medication, transportation, clothing, and communication. Undoubtedly, human society without synthetic and natural polymers is difficult to imagine.
What is the economic importance of polymers?
A: Polymers have become an integral part of virtually all industries, from food and beverage packaging to transportation to the medical industry. Polymers are valued for their wide range of properties, allowing them to be useful in many unique ways.
Are polymers eco friendly?
Yes. Ideally a sustainable polymer should be more environmentally friendly to make than its petroleum-derived counterpart. This would mean it required less water and non-renewable energy to make, and it would have less pollution emissions, when compared with its petroleum-based counterpart.
What does polymer mean in biology?
polymer, any of a class of natural or synthetic substances composed of very large molecules, called macromolecules, that are multiples of simpler chemical units called monomers. Polymers make up many of the materials in living organisms, including, for example, proteins, cellulose, and nucleic acids.
What is the polymer for nucleic acids?
1 Answer. Nucleic acids are the polymers themselves, the most common of them being DNA and RNA.
What is the most important biomolecule?
Proteins. Proteins are the primary building materials of the body. Your hair, skin, muscles, and organs are composed mostly of proteins. Proteins are strong yet flexible, and they have a complex 3-D structure.
What is the difference between biomolecules and polymers?
Biomolecules are the most important organic molecules that are involved in living organisms’ maintenance and metabolic functions. Whereas, a polymer, also known as a macromolecule, is a big molecule made up of numerous subunits. Biomolecules and polymers play vital roles in the field of chemistry.
Why are biological macromolecules considered organic?
Biological macromolecules are organic, meaning they contain carbon. In addition, they may contain hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and additional minor elements.