Biopolymers are
polymers produced by living organisms; in other words, they are polymeric
biomolecules. Since they are
polymers, biopolymers contain
monomeric units that are covalently bonded to form larger structures. There are three main classes of biopolymers, classified according to the monomeric units used and the structure of the biopolymer formed:
polynucleotides (
RNA and
DNA), which are long polymers composed of 13 or more
nucleotide monomers;
polypeptides, which are short polymers of amino acids; and
polysaccharides, which are often linear bonded polymeric carbohydrate structures.
Cellulose is the most common organic compound and biopolymer on Earth. About 33 percent of all plant matter is cellulose. The cellulose content of cotton is 90 percent, while wood's is 50 percent.