Polymers

A polymer is a chain of small molecules, called monomers, that are held together by covalent bonds. Organisms can synthesize biological polymers, or scientists can synthesize polymers in the laboratory.

Natural polymers include DNA, the genetic material found in all living organisms, and proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids, the building blocks of life.

Plastics are some of the most common synthetic polymers and include nylon, polyethylene, and teflon.

The process of monomers linking to each other to form a larger molecule is known as polymerization. Monomers polymerize by two distinct reaction mechanisms, condensation and addition.

Condensation polymerization is when two monomers with a reactive hydrogen atom and hydroxyl group, respectively, link to each other, with the release of water as a by-product. Most natural polymers are formed through condensation reactions.

In addition polymerization, monomers with carbon-carbon double bonds are added to each other to form a polymer without the generation of any by-product through the release of atoms.       

Polymers that are made up of the same type of monomers are known as homopolymers, and those made up of different types of monome