Answer to Question #150713 in General Chemistry for Michael Angelo

Question

Classification of natural polymer according to Origin, Source, molecular structure, and Polymer Structure. Explain and give an example.

Answer 1

Natural polymers occur in nature and can be extracted. They are often water-based. Examples of naturally occurring polymers are silk, wool, DNA, cellulose and proteins. ... Vulcanized rubber is a synthetic (man-made) polymer, while pectin is an example of a natural polymer.

• Proteins, such as hair, nails, tortoiseshell.
• Cellulose in paper and trees.
• Starches in plants such as potatoes and maize.
• DNA.
• Pitch (also known as bitumen or tar)
• Wool (a protein made by animals)
• Silk (a protein made by insects)
• Natural rubber and lacquer (proteins from trees)