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Polymer - GCSE Biology Definition

Reviewed by: Lára Marie McIvor

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A polymer is a large molecule made from many smaller repeating units called monomers joined together by chemical bonds. In biology, important natural polymers include proteins (made from amino acids), starch (made from glucose), and DNA (made from nucleotides). These biological polymers carry out vital functions, such as building cells, storing genetic information, and providing energy. Understanding polymers helps GCSE Biology students learn how complex molecules are formed and how they support life processes.

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Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewer: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology Subject Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

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