From: The Infinite Chain: How Tiny Molecules Link to Build Our Solid World
applicationself-reflection

Are we walking, talking polymer structures?

We often think of polymers as synthetic plastics, but you are made of them. Your DNA is a massive information-carrying polymer. Your muscles and skin are made of structural proteins like collagen, which are polymers of amino acids. Nature mastered this chemistry billions of years before we did.

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Reflect on how the flexible, tough nature of your own skin matches the molecular behavior of the long-chain proteins holding you together.

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3 evidence blocks3 perspectives4 visualizations13 media resources6 rabbit holes
evidence
Semicrystalline polymers achieve rigidity by folding into highly ordered microscopic lamellae.
evidence
Polymers form through covalent polymerization, connecting small monomer units into macromolecular...
evidence
Amorphous polymers solidify through molecular entanglement and glass transition rather than neat ...
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The Infinite Chain: How Tiny Molecules Link to Build Our Solid World
Evidence, perspectives, rabbit holes, and more