ABSTRACT
The field of natural polymers is one of the strongest, most rapidly growing areas of science
and polymers. Our bodies are largely composed of polymers: DNA, RNA, proteins, and
polycarbohydrates. Aging, awareness, mobility, strength, etc.—all the characteristics of being
alive-are related to the ‘‘health’’ of these polymers. Many medical, health, and biological
projects focus on polymers. There is an increasing emphasis on such natural polymers. The
importance of the human genome and relationships between genes, proteins, and our health
underlies much of this movement. Thus, an understanding of polymeric principles is advan-
tageous to those desiring to pursue a career related to their natural environment, be it
medicine, biomedical, biological, bioengineering, etc.
