Cellulose And Cells: Outline The Use Of Biopolymer

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Biopolymers:
1.
A. Define the term biopolymer. A polymeric substance occurring in living organisms, e.g. a protein, cellulose, or DNA.

DNA

Cellulose

B. Chose and name one which will be the focus of your research.
i. I will be researching cellulose. ii. I have chosen cellulose as it is the most abundant biopolymer.

C. Trace the development of your named biopolymer.
Cellulose was first “discovered” in 1938 by Anselm Payen, however it had been used for thousands of years for fire, clothing, ropes, paper etc. it was also discovered to be able to be made into other useful materials, including rayon (artificial silk) in 1855 and cellophane in 1908. Cellulose was first synthetically formed in 1994.
D. Name the specific enzyme or organism used in its manufacture.
Cellulose synthase.
E. Outline the specific uses for your chosen biopolymer.
Cellulose is used for a very great variety of things, including bio fuel and the creation of paper.
F. Evaluate the use or potential use of your chosen biopolymer in terms of its properties.
One current use for cellulose is for insulation. In comparison to fiberglass insulation, cellulose has no health impacts, doesn’t lose insulating capabilities in low temperatures is made mostly of recycled newspaper, however is flammable and can “settle” at the bottom of walls
One potential use for cellulose is the production of cellulose nanocrystals to be used for numerous construction purposes. Cellulose nanocrystals have a tensile strength of 7.5 GPA(more than double that of Kevlar) are relatively cheap and environmentally friendly to produce and is clear like glass. However they will swell and significantly drop in strength when they come into contact with water.

Industri...

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...id batteries are needed to power cars without having to regularly replace the batteries, and for the starters in the cars to work. The button cell has allowed for very small, long lasting mobile appliances, and its components are relatively safe, so can be used inside the body. Lithium Ion batteries allow for small mobile devices, e.g. cell phones, and for high power mobile devices e.g. laptops.
In terms of environmental impact-
Because it can be recharged, a lead acid battery does not need to be thrown away after one use, however lead is highly toxic, and the electrolyte is corrosive, so must be properly recycled. A silver oxide button cell is not rechargeable, however its contents are non-toxic, and so have minimal effects on the environment. Most lithium ion batteries have little impact on the environment, however lithium is rare and there is a limited supply.

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