BIOPOLYMERSBIOPOLYMERS

WILL THEY REPLACE WILL THEY REPLACE SYNTHETIC POLYMERS?SYNTHETIC POLYMERS?

1. The Question1. The Question

Biopolymers will they replace synthetic polymers?Biopolymers will they replace synthetic polymers?

Examples of Biopolymers Examples of Biopolymers

SourceSource::www.ecoearth.com.au/partnerships.htmwww.ecoearth.com.au/partnerships.htm

.

Biopolymers: The ScenarioBiopolymers: The Scenario

Synthetic polymers or plastics are produced fromSynthetic polymers or plastics are produced from

crude oil. As the world supply of oil graduallycrude oil. As the world supply of oil gradually

diminishes and the price continues to increase. It willdiminishes and the price continues to increase. It will

be be essentialessential to produce polymers from other sources. to produce polymers from other sources.

One solution to this problem is the use of biopolymersOne solution to this problem is the use of biopolymers

produced from renewable resourcesproduced from renewable resources

The following web sites will help you research this The following web sites will help you research this topictopic

– http://www.o2.org/ideas/cases/biopolymers.htmlhttp://www.o2.org/ideas/cases/biopolymers.html

– http://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2003/c/11/michael.htm http://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2003/c/11/michael.htm

Biopolymers diagram showing the important aspects Biopolymers diagram showing the important aspects of these substances that need to be considered in of these substances that need to be considered in

your research brochure.your research brochure.

source of carbon

compounds

addition orcondensation

polymer

evaluation ofpotential

use in society

microorganismrequired

examples

uses

Biopolymers

Biopolymers The Research ActivityBiopolymers The Research Activity

This activity will require students to produce a brochure This activity will require students to produce a brochure outlining the following:-outlining the following:- I.I. name of the biopolymername of the biopolymer

II.II. growth conditions required by the microorganism to produce growth conditions required by the microorganism to produce the biopolymerthe biopolymer

III.III. properties of the biopolymer eg.biodegradableproperties of the biopolymer eg.biodegradable

IV.IV. evaluation of the uses or potential uses of the biopolymer evaluation of the uses or potential uses of the biopolymer related to it’s propertiesrelated to it’s properties

V.V. directions for future research directions for future research

Biopolymers: Enrichment ActivitiesBiopolymers: Enrichment Activities

The following sites will be helpful in your research:The following sites will be helpful in your research:

• http://www.kcpc.usyd.edu.au/discovery/http://www.kcpc.usyd.edu.au/discovery/

• http://www.pslc.ws/macrog/index.htmhttp://www.pslc.ws/macrog/index.htm

• http://www.beyonddiscovery.org/http://www.beyonddiscovery.org/

• • http://www.crc4mse.org/Index.htmlhttp://www.crc4mse.org/Index.html

Teaching ResourcesTeaching Resources

BIOPOLYMERSBIOPOLYMERS

Source: New South Wales Stage 6 Chemistry SyllabusSource: New South Wales Stage 6 Chemistry Syllabus

Module 9.2 The Production of MaterialsModule 9.2 The Production of Materials

Use available evidence to gather and present data fromUse available evidence to gather and present data from

secondary sources and analyse progress in the recentsecondary sources and analyse progress in the recent

development and use of a named biopolymer. Thisdevelopment and use of a named biopolymer. This

analysis should name the specific enzymes used oranalysis should name the specific enzymes used or

organism used to synthesise the material and anorganism used to synthesise the material and an

evaluation of the use or potential use of the polymerevaluation of the use or potential use of the polymer

produced related to its propertiesproduced related to its properties