Question

Which of the following is not a polymer?
(A) Sucrose
(B) Teflon
(C) Starch
(D) Enzyme

Answer 1

Hint: To answer this question, we should know about polymers. We should know that polymers are very large molecules. It has repeating units of more than molecules.

Step by step answer:
We should know that polymers consist of very large molecules. And it is composed of many repeating units that we can call its subunits. We should know that polymers are of two types:
* Naturally occurring
* Synthetic or man-made.
Natural polymer is like which is derived from natural sources or present in natural form. Cellulose is the best example of a natural polymer that is present in nature. Natural rubber is also a natural polymer.
The list of synthetic or man-made polymers is very long. It includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, synthetic rubber and many more.
Now, coming back to our question we will identify the polymer present in above options. We will one by one take each option and know a little bit about it.
Let us take the first option that is sucrose. In sucrose or table sugar, two monosaccharides connected together make a disaccharide. In the case of sucrose (table sugar), glucose and fructose link together. But these are not repeating units, and hence it is not a polymer.
In option B, that is teflon or Poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene, we should know that Teflon is created by free-radical polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene. So, Teflon is a polymer.
Now, in option C that is starch. We should know that starch is a polymer made by plants to store energy. They use energy from sunlight to make a simple sugar, glucose. Plants make polymers - starch - out of extra glucose, so it's right there when they need it.
Let us take option D. We should know that Enzymes are composed mainly of proteins, which are polymers of amino acids.
So, from the above data we can say option A is not a polymer.

Note: Synthetic polymers are used in our everyday life. Our life is nothing without polymers. We use polyester as clothing fabric. In our house, we use buckets that are made of plastic. Varnishes and adhesives are also types of polymer. Tires, bumpers, windshields, windscreen wipers, fuel tanks, car seats are all made of polymers.