General ---------Biology----------------------------------------------------- ------------------Online---------------------------------- Ch. 5 Macromolecules: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, nucleic acids

What are polymers?  Have you ever used the word "poly" in your speech:  "I love this old polyester suit."  The word "poly" means many:  as in "polyester,"  i.e. many esters hooked together.  Well then, what might  "polypropylene" mean? _____________________.   What do we call a person who is married to many different people? ____________. 

Now, what does the "mer" mean in polymer?  Mer refers to a unit that repeats over and over.  The mer in polyester is and ester; 

Assume the circle below is one molecule or one "mer."