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Name - Yash Raj Gautam

Class - XII D

Roll No. - 33

Subject - Chemistry

SPRING DALE COLLEGE

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my teacher as
well as our principal who gave me the golden opportunity to do this
wonderful project, which also helped me in doing a lot of research and I
came to know about so many new things. I am really thankful to them.

Secondly, I would also like to thank my parents and friends who helped
me a lot in finishing this project within the limited time.

NATURAL
 POLYMERS
Natural

INTRODUCTION
A polymer is basically synthesized by joining small molecules or
substances into a single giant molecule by a chemical process. The
small molecules which are used in synthesizing a polymer is called as
monomer. Natural Polymers are those substances which are obtained
naturally. These polymers are formed either by the process of addition
polymerization or condensation polymerization.

Polymers are extensively found in nature. Our body too is made up of

many natural polymers like nucleic acids, proteins, etc. The cellulose is
another natural polymer which is a main structural component of the
plants. Most of the natural polymers are formed from the condensation
polymers and this formation from the monomers, water is obtained as a
by-product.

Some natural polymers also include DNA and RNA, these polymers are
very much important in all the life processes of all the living organisms.
This messenger RNA is the one that makes possible peptides, proteins,
and enzymes in a living body. Enzymes inside the living organisms help
the reactions to happen and the peptides makes up the structural
components of hair, skin, and also the horns of a rhino. The other
natural polymers are polysaccharides or called as sugar polymers and
polypeptides such as keratin, silk, and the hair. Natural rubber is also a
natural polymer which is made of hydrogen and carbon.

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Difference between natural polymers and synthetic
polymers :
Natural Polymers Synthetic Polymers

They are polymer compounds They are polymer compounds

that can be found naturally in our that are produced artificially by
environment. humans.

They occur naturally. They do not occur naturally.

They are produced by biological They are produced from

processes. chemical processes.

Most of them can be easily Most of them are hard to be

degraded by biological degraded by biological
processes. processes.
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber is made up of solid particles suspended in a milky white
liquid (called latex) that drips from the bark of certain tropical and
subtropical trees. It is made by the polymerization of isoprene (2
methyl-1, 3-butadiene) which has a chemical formula (C5H8) n.

Preparation :
Rubber Tapping – The latex is collected
from the rubber trees in a cup by making a
slight V-cut on the tree bark. The
collected latex is washed, filtered and
reacted with acids to congeal the rubber
particles.

Mastication –When it is cold, it is very

brittle in nature and when warmed up it
becomes very gluey. To remove the brittle
nature and strong odour of the rubber, it is
allowed to pass through the rollers and is
pressed to make it softer and flexible to work. This process is repeated
based on the properties that are required for the rubber.

Calendaring - It is a process which is

mainly performed to provide shape to the
rubber using rollers (after proper mixing
of the chemical ingredients).

The final product obtained is then extruded to make hollow tubes by

passing them through specially designed holes in an extrusion machine.

Vulcanization –To enhance all these properties, sulphur is added to the

rubber and it is heated at a temperature ranging from 373 K to 415 K.
The sulphur acts as a cross-linking agent and after vulcanization, rubber
gets cross-linked and becomes hard.
Properties :
 Natural rubber combines high strength (tensile and tear) with
outstanding resistance to fatigue.

 It has excellent green strength and tack which means that it has the
ability to stick to itself and to other materials which makes it easier
to fabricate.

 It has moderate resistance to environmental damage by heat, light

and ozone which is one of its drawbacks.

 The natural rubber has excellent adhesion to brass-plated steel

cord, which is ideal in rubber tyres.
  It has low hysteresis which leads to low heat generation, and this in
turn maintains new tyre service integrity and extends retreadability.

 The natural rubber has low rolling resistance with enhanced fuel
economy.

 It has high resistance to cutting, chipping and tearing.

Uses :
 Natural rubber latex is used in catheters, balloons, medical tubes,
elastic thread, and also in some adhesives.

 Other than rayon, it is the sole raw material, which is used by the
automotive industry.

 Natural rubber forms an excellent barrier to water.

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Cellulose
Cellulose is the most abundant organic compound on earth with a
chemical formula (C6H10O5)n. It is chiral, tasteless and has no odour.

Properties :
 Cellulose is the most abundant carbohydrate present in nature.

 It is insoluble in water.

 Cellulose is a crystalline solid having a white powdery appearance.

 It has high tensile strength due to firm hydrogen bonds between the
individual chains in cellulose microfibrils. The tensile strength of
cellulose microfibrils is comparable to that of steel.

 The alternate arrangement of glucose molecules in cellulose also

contributes to the high tensile strength of cellulose.

 It is soluble in organic solvents.

Cotton fibres represent the purest natural form Cellulose under a microscope

of cellulose, containing more than 90 % of

this polysaccharide

Uses :
 It is used in the diet as a fibre supplement.

 It is used to produce paperboard and paper products.

 It helps as an additive in various food items.

 It is used in the production of rayon.

 It is used as a preservative in cheese as it plays the role of an anti-

clumping agent.

 It is used in making explosives.

 It is used in the manufacturing of nitrocellulose.

 Nitrocellulose

Processing :
Biosynthesis - In plants cellulose is synthesized at the plasma
membrane by rosette terminal complexes (RTCs). The RTCs
are hexametric protein structures, that contain the cellulose
synthase enzymes that synthesise the individual cellulose chains.
Bacterial cellulose is produced using the same family of proteins.

Cellulolytic – It is the process of breaking down cellulose into smaller

polysaccharides. This is a hydrolysis reaction. However, this process can
be significantly intensified in a proper solvent, e.g. in an ionic liquid.
Thermolysis - At temperatures above 350 °C, cellulose
undergoes thermolysis (also called ‘pyrolysis’), decomposing into
solid char, vapors, aerosols, and gases such as carbon
dioxide. Maximum yield of vapors which condense to a liquid
called bio-oil is obtained at 500 °C.

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Ribonucleic Acid
RNA is a ribonucleic acid that helps in the synthesis of proteins in our
body. This nucleic acid is responsible for the production of new cells in
the human body. It has a chemical formula ( C5H10O5 )n .

Functions :
 Facilitate the translation of DNA into proteins.

 Functions as an adapter molecule in protein synthesis.

 Serves as a messenger between the DNA and the ribosomes.

 They are the carrier of genetic information in all living cells.

 Promotes the ribosomes to choose the right amino acid which is

required in building up of new proteins in the body.
Structure :

RNA has 4 nitrogen bases called the

adenine, guanine, cytosine & uracil.
Adenine and uracil are considered
as the major building blocks of
RNA & both of them form base-pair
with the help of 2 hydrogen bonds.

Types :
 tRNA – Transfer RNA - The
transfer RNA is held responsible for choosing the correct protein or
the amino acids required by the body in-turn helping the
ribosomes.
 rRNA-Ribosomal RNA - The ribosomal RNA plays a
fundamental role in the synthesis and translation of mRNA into
proteins.
 mRNA – Messenger RNA - the mRNA plays a vital role in the
process of transcription or during the protein synthesis process.
Comparison with DNA:
 Unlike double-stranded DNA, RNA is a single-stranded molecule.
 While the sugar-phosphate "backbone" of DNA
contains deoxyribose, RNA contains ribose instead.
 The complementary base to adenine in DNA is thymine, whereas
in RNA, it is uracil, which is an unmethylated form of thymine.
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Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are
macronutrients and are
one of the three main
ways by which our
body obtains its energy.
They are called
carbohydrates as they comprise carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen at their
chemical level. It has a chemical formula Cm(H2O)n .

Classification :
Monosaccharides – Formed by the condensation of one monomer.

Eg -
Disaccharides – Formed by combination of two monosaccharides.

Eg –

Oligosaccharides – Formed by the condensation of

2 – 9 monomers.

Polysaccharides - Complex carbohydrates have

two or more sugar molecules, hence they are
referred to as starchy foods.

Eg -
 Functions :
 It provides energy and food to the body and to the nervous system.
 Carbohydrates are known as one of the basic components of food,
including sugars, starch, and fibre which are abundantly found in
grains, fruits, and milk products.
 It is also involved in fat metabolism and prevents ketosis.
 Inhibits the breakdown of proteins for energy as they are the
primary source of energy.
 An enzyme by name amylase assists in the breakdown of starch
into glucose, finally to produce energy for metabolism.

Carbohydrates in Human Body :

 Carbohydrate Digestion

Sources :
 Simple sugars are found in the form of fructose in many fruits.
 Sucrose is naturally obtained from sugar and honey.

 Maltose is present in cereal, beer, potatoes, processed cheese,

pasta, etc.
 Galactose and lactose are present in all dairy products.
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Proteins
They are large and complex macromolecules or bio-molecules which
perform a major role in the functioning and regulating of our body cells,
tissues and other organs in the human body. They are composed of
amino acids, arranged into different groups.

Amino Acid :
 Alpha amino acid contains both NH2 (basic) and COOH (acidic)
groups.
 20 types of amino acids are known.
 Essential amino acid can’t be synthesized in animal body. It is
provided from outside through food.
 Non essential amino acid can be synthesized in human body.
Zwitter Ion :
The dipolar ion formed when -COOH donate H + and -NH2 accepts H+ is
called zwitter ion.

Structure :
Primary Structure: It is a specific sequence of amino acids. The order
of amino acids bonded together is detected by information stored in
genes.

Secondary Structure: It is a three-dimensional form of a local segment

of proteins. They are formed by hydrogen bonds between the atoms
along the backbone of the polypeptide chain.

Tertiary Structure: It is determined by R-groups. It is a three-

dimensional shape of a protein. Many numbers of tertiary structure fold
to form Quaternary Structure.
Quaternary Structure: It is the arrangement of multiple folded protein
subunits in a multi-subunit complex.

Functions :
 Enzymes: Enzymes mostly carry out all numerous chemical reactions
which take place within a cell. They also help in regenerating and
creating DNA molecules and carry out complex processes.

 Hormones: Proteins are involved in the creation of various types of

hormones which help in balancing the components of the body.
 Antibody: It is a type of protein which is majorly used by the immune
system to repair and heal the body from foreign bacteria. They often
work together with other immune cells to identify and separate the
antigens from increasing until the white blood cells destroy them
fully.

 Energy: Proteins are the major source of energy that helps in the

movements of our body. It is important to have the right amount of
protein in order to convert it into energy. Protein, when consumed in
excess amounts, gets used to create fat and becomes part of the fat

cells.

Protein Synthesis

Sources :
The most common food which has a higher amount of protein are eggs,
almond, chicken, oats, fish and seafood, soy, beans and pulses, cottage
cheese, yogurt, milk, broccoli, and quinoa.
Denaturation of Proteins :
Every protein has unique 3 – D structure and have fix biological activity
called native protein; due to any change in temperature or pH value,
protein loses its biological activity due to change in structure called
denaturation of protein.

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CONCLUSION
Polymers are long chain molecules with properties dominated by their
chain behaviour and nature of their chemical makeup or constitutions.
Natural polymers are those which our found naturally.

Some of them include : Natural Rubber, Cellulose, RNA,

Carbohydrates, Proteins.

Natural Rubber occurs as the latex from trees and is formed by

polymerization of isopropene. Cellulose is a polysaccharide and is
formed by polymerization of beta-glucose. RNA is a biomolecule
essential in various biological roles and is formed by the polymerization
of nucleotides. Carbohydrates are biomolecules and one of the
macronutrients and are classified into many subdivisions. Proteins are
also biomolecules and are formed by the polymerization of amino acids.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
 https://byjus.com/

 https://vedantu.com/

 https://m.wikipedia.org/

 https://sciencedirect.com/

 https://sciencing.com/

 https://study.com/

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