Definition

A large molecule made up of smaller units that are connected together, found in living things, such as proteins and DNA.

Example

Cellulose is a type of biopolymer that provides structure to plant cell walls.

Conversation

Have you heard about biopolymers and their uses in environmentally friendly products?

Yeah, I read that they're made from natural materials, right?

Exactly! They can replace plastics in many applications, which is amazing.

It's great to see science finding solutions to reduce waste.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Biopolymer → It is formed from "bio-" (from Greek "bios", meaning life) and "polymer" (from Greek "polus", meaning many and "meros", meaning parts). The word refers to a substance made of many parts that are derived from living organisms.

Memory Tip

Think of 'life' ('bio-') and 'many parts' ('polymer') to remember that a biopolymer is a substance made of many parts that come from living things.

Visually Confused Words