Name: polymer chains and their properties
Uploaded: 2023-04-30T18:28:47.000Z
Duration: 2 min 34 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

Florida Department of Education

High School

Life Science

SC.912.L.18

SC.912.L.18.1

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. &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
Polymers that are made up of the same type of monomers are known as homopolymers, and those made up of different types of monomers are known as heteropolymers. Cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer, is a homopolymer of glucose, whereas agarose, a polymer of marine origin, is a heteropolymer of galactose and 3,6-anhydro-L-galactopyranose.
Polymers have various structures depending on their type of monomers. Linear polymers are long chains of monomers. For example, cellulose is a linear polymer held together by beta 1,4-glycosidic bonds.&#160;
Branched polymers have chains splitting off of the main chain, such as amylopectin, a component of starch that branches out after 24 to 30 monomers through alpha 1,6-glycosidic bonds.
Crosslinked polymers have two or more chains held together at several points like a ladder, such as a synthetically constructed silicon ladder polymer, or form a complex network of interlinked chains&#8212;like the gel formed by pectins in jellies and jams.

polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words &#8220;poly&#8221; which means &#8220;many&#8221; and &#8220;mer&#8221; which means &#8220;parts&#8221;. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally, functional groups that may be present on a polymer further define their properties. The individual units of a polymer are held together by stable covalent bonds that occur through either addition or condensation polymerization.
Addition Polymerization
Additional polymerization occurs when the monomers that participate in the reaction have double bonds. This reaction requires the presence of an external molecule that has an unpaired valence electron to initiate the reaction. This unpaired electron is highly reactive and forms a bond with one of the double bonds in a monomer, which leads to the monomer having an unpaired valence electron. This unpaired valence electron then associates with another monomer with double bonds leading to a chain reaction where the molecule keeps adding other monomers with double bonds to it. This results in the formation of a chain of monomers, with the one added most recently having an unpaired valence electron. This addition reaction continues until two chains with unpaired electrons react with each other to form a bond. This eliminates any unpaired valence electrons, resulting in the termination of the reaction.
Condensation Polymerization
Condensation polymerization, also known as step-growth polymerization, requires a catalyst, such as an acid or an enzyme, and the monomers must have at least two reactive functional groups, such as amines or carboxylic acids. Functional groups on monomers react with each other to form linkages such as ester or amide linkages and are accompanied by the loss of a small molecule, such as water. Condensation polymerization is a slower reaction compared to addition polymerization and, in many cases, requires the presence of heat.
This text is adapted from <a href="https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/Hydrocarbons">Openstax, Chemistry 2e, Chapter 20.1: Hydrocarbons</a>.

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words &#8220;poly&#8221; which means &#8220;many&#8221; and &#8220;mer&#8221; which means &#8220;parts&#8221;. ...

Education

JoVE Core

Cell Biology

Unit 1

Biochemistry of the Cell

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

polymer chains and their properties

Polymers are large molecules made from repeating units called monomers. These long chains can form many common materials. Their structure helps explain why different polymers can behave in different ways.

Polymers can be built in more than one way. Some form by addition polymerization, where monomers join together directly. Others form by condensation polymerization, which releases a small molecule as the chain grows.

The type of polymer affects its properties and uses. Some polymers are strong and flexible, while others are more rigid. Many everyday materials are made from polymers, so understanding how they form helps explain the materials people use every day.

Polymer Chains and Their Properties

the periodic table and organismal elements

the-periodic-table-and-organismal-elements

Elements in the Human Body and Periodic Table

Elements are the smallest units of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical processes. Scientists know 118 elements, but not all of them occur naturally. Only a small number are essential for life, and living matter depends mostly on carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen. The periodic table organizes elements by their physical and chemical properties. Each square shows the element name, chemical symbol, atomic number, and atomic weight. The atomic number is the number of protons...

functional groups

Functional Groups in Organic Molecules

Functional groups are the part of an organic molecule that gives it specific chemical behavior. They help explain why compounds with similar carbon skeletons can react in different ways. In organic chemistry, these groups are often used to classify compounds. A functional group can change the properties of a molecule and affect how it behaves in a reaction. Knowing functional groups helps students recognize patterns in organic compounds. It also makes it easier to compare molecules that share...

types of chemical bonds

Chemical Bonds and How Atoms Join

Chemical bonds hold atoms together and help explain how different substances form. In chemistry, the main bond types are ionic bonds, covalent bonds, and metallic bonds. Ionic bonds form when electrons move from one atom to another. Covalent bonds form when atoms share electrons. Metallic bonds occur in metals, where electrons are held in a shared arrangement that gives metals their characteristic behavior. Understanding these bond types helps students compare how atoms connect in different...

noncovalent attractions in biomolecules

Biomolecule Interactions Without Covalent Bonds

Biomolecules often stay together through noncovalent attractions instead of covalent bonds. These weaker interactions help molecules recognize each other and form structures needed for life. The main noncovalent attractions are hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions. Each one works in a different way, but all of them can influence how biomolecules fold, bind, and behave in cells. Hydrogen bonds form when a hydrogen atom is attracted to...

Polymers are large molecules made from repeating units called monomers. These long chains can form many common materials. Their structure helps explain why different polymers can behave in different ways. Polymers can be built in more than one way. Some form by addition polymerization, where monomers join together directly. Others form by condensation polymerization, which releases a small molecule as the chain grows. The type of polymer affects its properties and uses. Some polymers are...

what are lipids?

Lipids in Cells: Membranes, Energy, and Signals

Lipids are important cell molecules that act as membrane parts, energy stores, and signaling molecules. They are a diverse group of hydrocarbons, which are compounds made of carbon and hydrogen atoms. The carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds are nonpolar, so lipids have an overall nonpolar character. Lipids are also hydrophobic, or “water-hating.” They do not form hydrogen bonds with water, so they are nearly insoluble in water. They are, however, soluble in organic solvents such as...

structure of lipids

How Lipid Molecules Are Built

Lipid molecules are built from hydrocarbon chains and a few key structural parts. Their shape helps explain why they behave differently from many other biological molecules. In high school biology, this structure is often linked to how lipids store energy and help form cell membranes. Some lipids are made from fatty acids joined to other small molecules. Triglycerides contain glycerol and three fatty acids, while phospholipids contain glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group. These...

chemistry of carbohydrates

Carbohydrate Structure and Bonding

Carbohydrates are built from sugar units and the bonds that link them. Their chemistry explains how simple sugars join to form larger molecules. It also helps show why carbohydrates have different structures and functions. The video focuses on the main sugar types found in carbohydrates. These include monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides are single sugar units. Disaccharides contain two sugar units, while polysaccharides are long chains of many sugar units. The...

nucleic acids

DNA and RNA in Cells

DNA and RNA are nucleic acids that help store and use genetic information in cells. They are key molecules in biology and are often studied together because they work as a pair in living systems. Nucleic acids are built from repeating units called nucleotides. Each nucleotide has a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The order of these bases carries the genetic code. There are two main nucleic acids: DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, and RNA, or ribonucleic acid. DNA usually stores...

protein and protein structures

How Protein Shape Determines Function

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ph regulation in cells

Cell pH and Organelle Balance

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chemistry of the cell

Cell Chemistry: Water, Ions, and Molecules

Cell chemistry explains the substances that make cells work. Water is the main component of cells, and it supports the chemical reactions that keep life going. Cells also contain organic molecules, which are carbon-based compounds, and inorganic ions, which are charged particles needed for cell function. Organic molecules in cells include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. These molecules have different roles, but together they build cell structures, store energy, and carry...

key terms and concepts

Learn how polymers are built from repeating monomers and how addition and condensation polymerization shape the properties of everyday materials.

Polymer Chains and Their Properties | JoVE K12

cell biology

JoVE Core Cell Biology illustrates complex cellular processes in easy-to-understand yet comprehensive animated video lessons. This collection focuses on the essential components and functions of cells, including organelles and membranes, cellular transport, and cell energetics. It is complemented by scientist-in-action videos that demonstrate the application of cell biology in real-world research experiments.

Macromolecules

Biomolecules
Organisms contain a wide variety of organic molecules with numerous functions which depend on the chemical structures and properties of these ...

What are Lipids?

Lipids function as structural components of cellular membranes, in addition to acting as energy reservoirs and signaling molecules. They are thus crucial ...

Structure of Lipids

lipid-derived-compounds-in-the-human-body

Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body

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Fats as Energy Storage Molecules

Amino acids

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Peptide Bonds

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What are Proteins?

Protein and Protein Structures

Protein Organization

Globular Proteins

In organisms, proteins are the most abundant macromolecules. They act as the building blocks of life and play various crucial roles in the body. Proteins ...

Fibrous Proteins

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Protein Denaturation

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Role of Proteins in the Human Body

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Mechanical Protein Function

Structural Protein Function

Introduction to Carbohydrates

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RNA Structure

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Noncovalent Attractions in Biomolecules

Describe the basic molecular structures and primary functions of the four major categories of biological macromolecules.

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&#160;Every plant cell has a cell wall that protects the cell, provides structural support, and gives the cell shape. Cellulose, the main structural ...

Membrane Carbohydrates

The plasma membrane is a dynamic barrier composed of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. It is the epicenter of many cellular processes required for cell ...

Describe the important structural characteristics of monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides and explain the functions of carbohydrates in living things.

SC.912.L.18.2

Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism

Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms ...

What are Membranes?

A cell&#39;s plasma membrane demarcates the cell&#39;s borders and determines the nature of its interaction with the environment. Cells exclude certain ...

Membrane Fluidity

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Fluid Mosaic Model

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Membrane Lipids

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Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer

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Lipids as Anchors

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The Significance of Membrane Transport

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Describe the structures of fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids. Explain the functions of lipids in living organisms. Identify some reactions that fatty acids undergo. Relate the structure and function of cell membranes.

SC.912.L.18.3

Ligand Binding Sites

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Enzymes and Activation Energy

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Turnover Number and Catalytic Efficiency

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Catalytically Perfect Enzymes

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Introduction to Mechanisms of Enzyme Catalysis

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Ligand Binding and Linkage

Cooperative Allosteric Transitions

Ribozymes

Enzyme Activity

Biological Catalysts

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Describe the structures of proteins and amino acids. Explain the functions of proteins in living organisms. Identify some reactions that amino acids undergo. Relate the structure and function of enzymes.

SC.912.L.18.4

Chemiosmosis

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Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

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Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV

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The Electron Transport Chain

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The Supercomplexes in the Crista Membrane

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ATP Synthase: Structure

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ATP Synthase: Mechanism

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The ADP/ATP Carrier Protein

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ATP Yield

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Discuss the use of chemiosmotic gradients for ATP production in chloroplasts and mitochondria.

SC.912.L.18.5

Fermentation

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Biofuels: Producing Ethanol from Cellulosic Material

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Discuss the role of anaerobic respiration in living things and in human society.

SC.912.L.18.6

Photosynthesis

Autotrophs

Almost all living organisms on Earth depend on photosynthesis, which is the process that converts sunlight energy into a simple sugar called ...

What is Photosynthesis?

All living organisms on Earth are directly or indirectly dependent on photosynthesis. It is the only biological process that can capture energy from ...

The Anatomy of Chloroplasts

Green algae and plants, including green stems and unripe fruit, harbor specialized organelles called chloroplasts to carry out photosynthesis. They ...

Photosystems

Photosystems are multiprotein complexes that form the functional units of photosynthesis in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. They are found embedded in ...

The Photochemical Reaction Center

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The Antenna Complex

Plants and other photosynthetic organisms comprise pigments capable of absorption of direct sunlight. These pigments are present in the reaction center - ...

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The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis

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The Calvin Benson Cycle

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Identify the reactants, products, and basic functions of photosynthesis.

SC.912.L.18.7

Introduction to Cellular Respiration

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What is Glycolysis?

Overview
Cells make energy by breaking down macromolecules. Cellular respiration is the biochemical process that converts &#34;food energy&#34; (from the ...

Identify the reactants, products, and basic functions of aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration.

SC.912.L.18.8

A. All living things are composed of four basic categories of macromolecules and share the same basic needs for life.

B. Living organisms acquire the energy they need for life processes through various metabolic pathways (primarily photosynthesis and cellular respiration).

C. Chemical reactions in living things follow basic rules of chemistry and are usually regulated by enzymes.

D. The unique chemical properties of carbon and water make life on Earth possible.

Polymer Chains and Their Properties

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