Question

Which of the following is a natural polymer ?

• A. Bakelite
• B. PVC
• C. Polythene
• D. Protein

Hint:

{Natural polymers} are made by nature (plants, animals). Examples: Protein, Starch, Cellulose, DNA, Natural Rubber.
{Synthetic polymers} are man-made. Examples: Polythene (plastic bags), PVC (pipes), Bakelite (old plastics), Nylon, Polyester. Proteins are built from amino acid monomers and are fundamental to life.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: Polymers are large molecules (macromolecules) composed of repeating structural units called monomers. They can be classified as natural or synthetic.
Natural Polymers: Occur in nature, produced by living organisms (plants and animals).
Synthetic Polymers: Man-made in laboratories or factories, often from petroleum-based chemicals. Step 1: Analyzing the options
(1) Bakelite (Phenol-formaldehyde resin): This is one of the first synthetic plastics, made from phenol and formaldehyde. It is a synthetic polymer.
(2) PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Made by polymerizing vinyl chloride monomer. It is a widely used synthetic plastic (e.g., for pipes, window frames).
(3) Polythene (Polyethylene): Made by polymerizing ethylene (ethene) monomer. It is a very common synthetic plastic (e.g., for plastic bags, bottles).
(4) Protein: Proteins are complex macromolecules essential to all living organisms. They are polymers made up of repeating monomer units called amino acids, linked by peptide bonds. Proteins are naturally occurring. Examples include enzymes, antibodies, keratin (in hair/nails), collagen (in skin/bones). Step 2: Identifying the natural polymer From the analysis:
Bakelite, PVC, and Polythene are synthetic polymers.
Protein is a natural polymer. Other examples of natural polymers include:
Starch (polymer of glucose)
Cellulose (polymer of glucose, main component of plant cell walls)
Natural Rubber (polymer of isoprene)
DNA and RNA (nucleic acids, polymers of nucleotides)
Silk (a protein fiber)
Wool (a protein fiber) Therefore, Protein is a natural polymer among the given options.