polymerization

(noun)

The chemical process, normally with the aid of a catalyst, to form a polymer by bonding together multiple identical units (monomers).

Related Terms

Examples of polymerization in the following topics:

  • Intermediate Filaments and Microtubules

    • The walls of the microtubule are made of polymerized dimers of α-tubulin and β-tubulin, two globular proteins .
    • Microtubules are hollow, with walls consisting of 13 polymerized dimers of α-tubulin and β-tubulin (right image).

  • Food Energy and ATP

    • When the amount of ATP available is in excess of the body's requirements, the liver uses the excess ATP and excess glucose to produce molecules called glycogen (a polymeric form of glucose) that is stored in the liver and skeletal muscle cells.

  • Constructing an Animal Phylogenetic Tree

    • Phylogeny is evolutionary history shown by the relationships found when comparing polymeric molecules such as RNA, DNA, or proteins of various organisms.
    • The evolutionary pathway is analyzed by the sequence similarity of these polymeric molecules.

  • Skin, Gills, and Tracheal Systems

    • The tracheal system, the most direct and efficient respiratory system in active animals, has tubes made of a polymeric material called chitin.

  • Antibody Structure

    • Similarly to IgM, IgA molecules are secreted as polymeric structures linked with a J chain.

  • Levels of Organization of Living Things

    • Many molecules that are biologically important are macromolecules, large molecules that are typically formed by polymerization (a polymer is a large molecule that is made by combining smaller units called monomers, which are simpler than macromolecules).

  • Energy and Nutrient Requirements for Prokaryotes

    • Recall that macromolecules are produced by the polymerization of smaller units called monomers.

  • Molecular Analyses and Modern Phylogenetic Trees

    • Advances in molecular biology and analysis of polymeric molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins have contributed to the development of phylogenetic trees.

  • Digestion and Absorption

    • Digestive enzymes are enzymes that break down polymeric macromolecules into their smaller building blocks, in order to facilitate their absorption by the body.

  • Vertebrate Digestive Systems

    • Digesting plant material is not easy because plant cell walls contain the polymeric sugar molecule cellulose.