Biologic systems Nucleic acids Plants Proteins

Biologically active polymers are of fundamental importance in the life process Itself. He need only note that molecules such as the proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes and many complex sugars are macromolecular in nature to realize how dependent life is upon polymer molecules. In addition, many of the polypeptide hormones are derived from a larger polypeptide or are synthesized by means of other macromolecules. Nearly all our foods and most of our bodies are composed of polymers and most of these are bloactive. He can note with certainty that macromolecules are essential to life as we know it. Beyond this, the interaction of macromolecules plays an Important role in many areas of life. Examples of this could Include such divergent effects as the pain-killing activity of the enkephalins or the toxic nature of snake venom which is a polypeptide in most cases. In subsequent chapters of this book, other authors will consider a variety of polymeric systems with various types of actual or potential activity with humans, animals and/or plants. In this chapter, we briefly explore the overall realm of biologically active polymers. 

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