Biological polymers
polymerA large molecule formed from many identical smaller molecules known as monomers. are not always man-made - they occur naturally and are made by all living organismLiving entity, eg animals, plants or microorganisms..
DNA
DNADeoxyribonucleic acid. The material inside the nucleus of cells, carrying the genetic information of a living being. is a polymer which is essential for life. Most DNA is a double helix, where two polymer chains are lined up and then twisted around each other. The DNA polymer is made from four different types of monomerSmall molecule, usually containing a C=C bond, that can join end to end with other monomers to form a polymer molecule., which are called nucleotideThe units or molecules of which DNA is composed..
The sequence of nucleotides along the DNA molecule is a code for geneThe basic unit of genetic material inherited from our parents. A gene is a section of DNA which controls part of a cell's chemistry - particularly protein production.. The genetic information stored in a molecule for DNA is a set of instructions for each organism to stay alive and grow.
Proteins
proteinOrganic compound made up of amino acid molecules. One of the three main food groups, proteins are needed by the body for cell growth and repair. are biological polymers made inside cells. They are made from amino acid monomers and have a huge range of roles inside living things. For example, all enzymeA protein which catalyses or speeds up a chemical reaction. are made from proteins.
Starch and cellulose
starchA type of carbohydrate. Plants can turn the glucose produced in photosynthesis into starch for storage, and turn it back into glucose when it is needed for respiration. and celluloseA carbohydrate. It forms the cell wall in plant cells. are biological polymers which are made by plants. The monomers for both starch and cellulose are sugar molecules. Starch is used by plants as a way of storing energy as a complex carbohydrateFood belonging to the food group consisting of sugars, starch and cellulose. Carbohydrates are vital for energy in humans and are stored as fat if eaten in excess. In plants, carbohydrates are important for photosynthesis.. Cellulose is used to make the strong cell wall which gives plant cells (and therefore plants) strength.