Natural polymers are large molecules made up of repeating units called monomers, which occur naturally in the environment. Common examples include cellulose found in plant cell walls, proteins that make up animal tissues, and starch used by plants for energy storage. These polymers play essential roles in biological processes and are crucial for the structure and function of living organisms.
These materials are biodegradable and often renewable, making them environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic polymers. Natural polymers are used in various applications, including food packaging, biomedical devices, and textiles, due to their unique properties such as flexibility, strength, and biocompatibility.