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Related Concept Videos

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

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Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
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Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

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Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
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Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

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Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
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The extent of the...
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Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution01:10

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

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For any given polymer, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is higher than, if not equal to, the number average molecular weight (Mn). The only situation in which the weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are equal is when a polymer consists only of chains with equal molecular weight. However, this never happens in a synthetic polymer, since it is difficult to control the polymerization process up to a molecular level with accuracy to a hundred percent.
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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
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Covalent Attachment of Single Molecules for AFM-based Force Spectroscopy
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Polymer Stiffness Regulates Multivalent Binding and Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation.

Emiko Zumbro1, Alfredo Alexander-Katz1

  • 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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|October 22, 2020
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Flexible polymers bind targets more effectively than rigid ones, aiding in pathogen inhibition and understanding cellular phase separation. This research offers insights into designing better biomolecular interactions and disease therapies.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Polymer Science
  • Systems Biology

Background:

  • Multivalent binding, utilizing multiple weak interactions, is crucial for high-affinity biological processes.
  • Multivalent polymers are key in pathogen inhibition and biocondensate formation, impacting cellular functions and diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how polymer structure influences binding affinity and phase separation.
  • To provide insights for designing effective polymeric inhibitors and understanding membraneless organelles.

Main Methods:

  • Computational simulations and theoretical analysis were employed.
  • The binding of flexible random-coil and stiff rod-like polymers to a small target was examined.

Main Results:

  • Flexible polymers exhibit stronger binding compared to stiff polymers.
  • Flexible polymers nucleate condensed phases at lower binding energies than rigid polymers.

Conclusions:

  • Polymer flexibility is a critical determinant of binding strength and phase separation behavior.
  • Findings support the rational design of polymeric inhibitors and enhance understanding of cellular phase separation.