9) Biodegradable polymers

Question 1

State the two main categories of bio-polymers and describe them.

Answer 1

1) Natural = Natural materials e.g. cellulose starch and polysaccharides
2) Synthetic = Made from renewable resources but chemically engineered to break down quicker.

Question 2

State two natural bio-polymers

Answer 2

1) Corn starch polymer = made from high-starch vegetables e.g. corn.
2) Potatopak = Made from potato starch.

Question 3

State two synthetic bio-polymers

Answer 3

1) PLA = Made from corn kernels or cane sugar fermented to produce lactic acid then synthesised to produce PLA
2) Lactide = PLA & cellulose-based

Question 4

Degradation of bio-polymers occurs in the presence of …

Answer 4

1) Light (photodegradable) = weakened with UV rays
2) Oxygen (oxy-degradable)
3) Water (hydro-degradable)

Question 5

What do bio-polymers turn into when decomposed?

Answer 5

Water, carbon dioxide, biomass and possible methane