Biopolymer

German: Biopolymer

1 Definition

Biopolymers are polymers of natural origin that are produced in the metabolism of creatures.

2 Background

Polymers are macromolecules that are composed of repeating units, so-called monomers.

Biopolymers include for example:

• polysaccharides such as cellulose, strach, chitin
• nucleic acids such as DNA
• proteins such as collagen
• phenylpropanoids such as lignin

Biopolymers are both produced in primary as well as in secondary metabolism and take over various functions.