Review Article
Natural Products: A Minefield of Biomaterials
Table 4
General properties of certain natural polymers [
67].
| | Polymer | Incidence | Physiological Functions |
| | (A) Protein |
| | Silk | Synthesized by anthropods | Protective cocoon | | Keratin | Hair | Thermal insulation | | Collagen | Connective tissues (tendon, skin) | Mechanical support | | Gelatin | Partly amorphous collagen | Industrial product | | Fibrinogen | Blood | Blood clotting | | Elastin | Neck ligament | Mechanical support | | Actin | Muscles | Contraction motility | | Myosin | Muscles | Contraction motility |
| | (B) Polysaccharides |
| | Cellulose | Plants | Mechanical support | | Amylose | Plants | Energy reservoir | | Dextran | Synthesized by bacteria | Matrix for growth of organism | | Chitin | Insects and Crustaceans | Provides shape and form | | Glycosaminoglycans | Connective tissues | Contribution to mechanical support |
| | (C) Polynucleotides |
| | Deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) | Cell nucleus | Direct protein biosynthesis | | Ribonuclei acids (DNA) | Cell nucleus | Direct protein biosynthesis |
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