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Polymers Have Different Structures. They Also Have Different Functions. Describe How the Structures of Different Polymers Relate to Their Function?

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Polymers have different structures. They also have different functions. Describe how the structures of different polymers relate to their function? Polymers a large molecules made up of a chain of smaller molecules, known as monomers. The monomers that a polymer is made up of decide its structure and therefore it's function. These monomers are linked and coiled in a very specific manor giving the polymer a specific tertiary structure (an extensively coiled and linked polymer chain caused as a result of the formation of more bonds forming). This tertiary structure is crucial to the function of a polymer as it denotes the necessary shape of the complementary molecule. This is easier explained through an example. An example of a …show more content…

Haemoglobin is just one of the many possible forms and functions of a protein polymer. They all have different structures, which makes them specialised to carry out a particular function. For example enzymes. They are roughly spherical in shape due to the tight folding of the polypeptide chains. Enzymes play important roles in most biological processes, in particular metabolism and synthesis. The tertiary structure of an enzyme is of particular importance to its function and a slight change in the chain sequence and therefore it's shape can result in it becoming inactive. Enzymes work by combining with a substrate to form an enzyme-substrate complex, the substrate is then broken down and released. Each enzyme has a particular substrate that is can breakdown, this will be the substrate with the complimentary structure to that of the active site of the enzyme. For example starch is only broken down by amylase. As the shape of the active site depends on the shape of the polymer shape so does the over all function of the enzyme. Antibodies are involved in the immune response. They're made up of two light polypeptide chains and two heavy polypeptide chains bonded together. Antibodies have a variable region which acts in a similar way to the active site of an enzyme. Each antibody has a variable region that is the complementary shape for a particular antigen and

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