Polymer

Definition

A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units, typically connected by covalent chemical bonds. In microbiology, polymers such as polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids play essential roles in cell structure and function.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Polysaccharides like cellulose and chitin are polymers important for microbial cell walls.
2. Proteins, which are polymers of amino acids, act as enzymes in metabolic processes.
3. Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are polymers that store genetic information in microbes.
4. Microbial biofilms often consist of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).
5. Polymer synthesis in microbes can be influenced by environmental conditions.

Review Questions

• What role do polysaccharides play in microbial cell walls?
• How do proteins function as polymers in microbial metabolism?
• Why are nucleic acids considered polymers?

Related terms

Polysaccharide: A carbohydrate whose molecules consist of sugar molecules bonded together.

Protein: A molecule composed of one or more long chains of amino acids and is a principal component of all cells.

Nucleic Acid:

Biomolecules essential for all known forms of life that include DNA and RNA.