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BIOPOLYMERS

Polymers can be classified based on their monomer connections and chain compositions. Polymer behavior varies when interacting with solvents, as they may swell or dissolve depending on temperature, pressure, affinity, and other factors. Swelling and viscosity are important properties of polymer solutions that are influenced by similar variables. Gels exhibit unique properties like thixotropy and syneresis. Biological macromolecules play critical roles in living systems, and polymers are increasingly being used in biomedical applications as biomaterials and scaffolds due to their tunable properties.

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41 views3 pages

BIOPOLYMERS

Polymers can be classified based on their monomer connections and chain compositions. Polymer behavior varies when interacting with solvents, as they may swell or dissolve depending on temperature, pressure, affinity, and other factors. Swelling and viscosity are important properties of polymer solutions that are influenced by similar variables. Gels exhibit unique properties like thixotropy and syneresis. Biological macromolecules play critical roles in living systems, and polymers are increasingly being used in biomedical applications as biomaterials and scaffolds due to their tunable properties.

Uploaded by

Durga Prasad Kalam
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS SOLUTION

Polymers (or macromolecules) are very large molecules consisting of a linked series of
repeated simple monomers with molecular weights ranging from 104 to 109 g/mol.

Classifications

1) By type of monomers connection

a) Linear (polyethylene, natural rubber, cellulose) – a single backbone with no


branch.
b) Branched (glycogen, starch) – the main chain with 1 or more substituent chains.
c) Cross-linked (resin, protein) – a formation of covalent bonds between chains.
2) By chain composition

a) Homochain – the main chain constructed from atoms of single element.


b) Heterochain – the main chain constructed from atoms of 2 or more elements.
3) By nature of molecule

a) Organic, bioorganic – polyethene, protein.


b) Inorganic – polysilica acid.

Polymer interaction with solvent

Polymer behavior varies from salvation of low molecule substances, because polymers may form
supra-molecular structures.

Swelling is a spontaneous process of solvent molecules involving in polymer sample, like the
result, the volume and mass of polymer increase. Two main types of swelling may be (Fig.13):

Arrives to limiting value, after Firstly increase mass or volume,


that doesn’t change in time. after that falls to zero by sample
dissolution.

E.g. Gelatine in cold water. E.g. Gelatine in hot water.

(Unlimited swelling)
Gel (Limited swelling)

True solution
Mo

Fig.13. Swelling types and results


Factors influencing swelling:

1. Temperature – At high temperature, swelling increases.


2. Pressure – At high pressure, swelling increases.
3. Affinity to solvent –Swelling depends on the natures of solvent and polymer by principle
“similar to similar”, e.g. polar polymers such as proteins swell better in water than in
alcohol or benzene.
4. Nature of polymer –Cross-linked polymers (vulcanized rubber) swell badly. Linear
flexible polymers swell well.
5. Presence of electrolytes. Lyotropic series (only anions are influenced)
SO42- ≈ C2O42- < F- < CH3COO- < Cl- ≈NO-3 < Br- < I- < CNS-
This series is defined by the ability of anion to hydration. SO42 ion has maximum
hydration ability and CNS- has minimum hydration ability. By the adsorption on
polymers they attract water and decrease swelling or repulse water and increase polymer
swelling.
6. pH influence on proteins swelling –Minimum swelling is observed in isoelectric point
(IEP) because at this point protein molecule is uncharged and the globule has maximum
density and minimum water affinity (Fig.14). At a pH below their pI, proteins carry a net
positive charge; above their pI they carry a net negative charge. This principle used for
proteins separation by electrophoresis method.

Fig.14. pH influence protein swelling.


Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP or SPE) is a laboratory test that examines
specific proteins in the blood. The most common indications for a serum protein electrophoresis
test are to diagnose or monitor multiple myeloma, a monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain
significance (MGUS), or further investigate a discrepancy between a low albumin and a
relatively high total protein. Unexplained bone pain, anemia, proteinuria, chronic kidney disease,
and hypercalcemia are also signs of multiple myeloma, and indications for SPE.

Biological role of Swelling


Swelling is any abnormal enlargement of a body part. It is typically the result of
inflammation or a build-up of fluid. Edema describes swelling in the tissue outside of the joint.
Effusion describes swelling that is inside a joint, such as a swollen ankle or knee.

Viscosity of polymers solution

Viscosity is the measure of resistance of fluid deformed by external stress. Factors influencing
polymer viscosity are the following:
1. Temperature –With temperature growth viscosity of polymer solution may change
variously.
 If the solution was formed by much branched molecules, temperature growth
depresses viscosity by decreasing of structuring.
 If the solution was formed by long linear chain, temperature growth elevates
viscosity by increasing molecule moving.
2. Chain flexibility –flexible molecule viscosity is higher than rigid, because it influences at
solution structuring.
3. Rate of flow –Increase of flow rate decreases viscosity of flexible polymers and increases
the viscosity of rigid polymer.
4. Polymer concentration –general increase of concentration elevates viscosity.

Biological role of blood viscosity


Blood viscosity is the measure of resistance of blood to flow. Viscosity of blood depends on
plasma proteins concentration in combination with hematocrit (the volume percentage of red
blood cells in blood). Normal value for blood viscosity is 4-5 mPa*s.

Same pathologies change blood viscosity, like example, anemia can lead to decrease of blood
viscosity, because decrease RBC number; polycythermia (increase in red cell mass as evidenced
by increase in hemoglobin, hematocrit and number of circulating erythrocytes) – viscosity
increases too (10 mPa*s) which leads to many negative factors.

Gel specific properties

Gel formation is the result of limited swelling process. Gel is jelly-like body that can maintain its
shape and is characterized by its elastic behavior, it has two specific properties:

1. Thixotrophy –Reversible process, after a period of rest, the solution become to gel
again, energetic shaking of gel results in liquefaction. (e.g. brain concussion , it is a type of
traumatic brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head or body, a fall, or another injury that
jars or shakes the brain inside the skull. These process following brain recovery after a period of
recovery);
2. Syneresis –Irreversible process of gel aging accompanied by increase of rigidity,
net compression and liquid excretion. (e.g. tissue aging)
Biological role and medical application of biopolymers.

Biological macromolecules which are necessary for life include carbohydrates, lipids,
nucleic acids, and proteins. These are the important cellular components and perform a wide
array of functions necessary for the survival and growth of living organisms. These play a
critical role in cell structure and function. The roles of macromolecules in living systems as
information storage systems (as DNA) and in biochemical synthesis have been much studied.
Polymers are being widely used as biomaterials for the preparation of medical device and
tissue-engineering scaffolds. Polymeric scaffolds due to their unique properties such as high
surface-to-volume ratio, high porosity with very small pore size, biodegradation, and mechanical
property are drawing good amount of attention. Polymers are also applied in bone replacement.

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