What are Polymers?

The word polymer comes from the Greek words for “many parts.”

Each of those parts is scientists call a monomer  (which in Greek means “one part”). Think of a polymer
as a chain, with each of its links a monomer. Those monomers can be simple — just an atom or two or
three — or they might be complicated ring-shaped structures containing a dozen or more atoms.

Wool, cotton and silk are natural polymer-based materials that have been used since ancient times.

Cellulose, the main component of wood and paper, also is a natural polymer.