There are millions and millions of microorganisms around us which thrive in a variety of conditions. Some of these microorganisms play a part in the synthesis of polymers. Wonder how?
Some microorganisms can live in extreme conditions. There are some thermal resistant bacteria that can withstand temperatures as high as 350 degrees Celsius and they are used in chain growth polymerization. It is a mechanism of polymerization in which monomers get added to a growing polymer chain. Some of these microorganisms are also used in the production of medicines.
Apart from this, there are millions of tiny creatures in the sea that sink into the seabed when they die. Calcium carbonate is a common inorganic substance found in organisms that do not easily decompose. It piles up in the seabed and forms huge deposits of chalk and lime with the passing of time which is later used for making useful polymers like plastic and polyvinyl chloride.
Picture Credit : Google