Introduction to Aquatic Biopolymers

Abstract

Polymers refer to macromolecules made up of repeating units of smaller molecules covalently bound together to form a bigger molecule. For example, proteins are polymers made up of amino acids, cellulose is made up of repeating units of glucose and polyethylene is made up of repeating units of ethylene. The units which join together to form polymers are referred to as monomers, and the process through which this is achieved is termed polymerization. Biopolymers refer to polymers which are produced by living organisms. The term aquatic biopolymers refers to biopolymers which are produced by living organisms that inhabit the aquatic ecosystem.