Natural Polymers 天然高分子.pptVIP

Natural Polymers By: Chelsea Goerzen, Carter Chiasson Caitlyn Hayes What is a Natural Polymer? The natural polymer group includes naturally occurring polymers and chemical modifications of these polymers. This group includes: Cellulose (main structural component of plants) Starch Lignin Chitin RNA DNA And various other polysaccharides (sugars) Why Are Natural Polymers Important? Nature uses natural polymers to make life possible, as all living things are made from these polymers. In many ways, these natural polymers are more important than other polymers. Everyday Uses Natural polymers are not so much used, but rather are found in nature. The group includes proteins, RNA DNA, polysaccharides, amino acids, etc. But, they are in fact used in a different sense; Natural polymers are being used all the time without knowing it, as all living organisms rely on them to survive. General Structure General Structure RNA DNA RNA and DNA contain sugar units, making them polysaccharides, but they have well ordered groups attached to the sugars giving them unique capabilities. Messenger RNA are an example of natural polymers. These are what make possible proteins, peptides, enzymes. Enzymes consists of the chemistry inside living organisms Peptides consists of some of the more interesting structural components of skin, hair, etc. Amino Acids Amino acids are structurally bifunctional. Today, there are 20 known/identified amino acids. They are formed when a carboxylic group (COOH) and an amine group (NH2) react through the loss of water. This creates an amide. Proteins Proteins are the basic strutural material of plants and animals. There are over 10 billion different proteins, all constructed from the 20 known amino acids. The repetoire of an amide bond forms a protein. The number of amino acids in a protein can range from two to several thousands. Polypeptides Polypeptides are made of chains of amino acids. A protein is made of polypeptide molecules. Polypeptides consist of s