Biopolymers and Bioplastics

Biopolymers

Biopolymers are naturally occurring macromolecules produced by the cells of living organisms. Biopolymers are composed of monomeric units that are covalently linked to form larger molecules. Biopolymers can be proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, or polysaccharides developed from living organisms. DNA biopolymers play important roles in the human body and ecosystems. There are three main classes of biopolymers classified according to the monomers used and the structure of the biopolymers formed. They are polynucleotides, polypeptides and polysaccharides. Polynucleotides such as RNA and DNA are the long polymers composed of 13 or more nucleotide monomers. Polypeptides and proteins are polymers of amino acids which include collagen, actin, and fibrin. Polysaccharides are linear or branched macromolecular carbohydrates such as starch, cellulose and alginates.