ABSTRACT
We now turn our attention to one of the most important structural compo-nents of cells: biopolymers. In Section 2.1, we learned that polymers are linear molecules made up of repeating structures known as subunits. Biopolymers possess a diverse range of functions within cells. For example, DNA and RNA are polymers of nucleotides whose primary function is the storage and passage of genetic information. In Chapter 8, we will learn more about the cytoskeleton, an interconnected network of polymers that plays a critical role in a variety of functions, such as maintenance of cell shape, mechanical force generation, and intracellular transport. In many cases, the mechanical behavior of these biopolymers is critical in allowing them to perform the diverse functions they serve.
