Many of the molecules that make up living organisms are composed of strings of subunits called monomers. These strings of molecules are called polymers.

One example of a monomer is glucose
A sting of glucose molecules creates glycogen which is a polymer

In this lab we will create our own polymers. We will use glue and borax. The borax will act as a cross linking agent or "connector" for the glue (polyvinyl acetate) molecules.

Once the glue molecules join together they will form larger polymers. The polymers will be a gel similar to slime.

Borax

White glue

Food coloring

Ziploc bags

1. Pour 50 ml of glue and 50 ml of water into a large beaker or cup and mix together

2. Measure 20 grams of Borax and 100ml of water.

3. Pour the water and the Borax into a Ziploc bag

4. Add the glue solution to the Ziploc bag.

5. Add a couple of drops of food coloring

6. Seal the bag

7. Knead the mixture until it becomes slime.

8. You may have to adjust the amounts of glue and borax to make sure that the polymers form.

graphic from www.biology.lsu.edu/.../OrganicMolecules.html