Which of the following is not a natural polymer ?

Options

A. Starch
B. Nucleic acid
C. Polystryrene
D. Protein

Answer

To determine which of the following is not a natural polymer, we will analyze each option provided:

1. **Starch**: Starch is a carbohydrate that serves as a storage form of energy in plants. It is a natural polymer made up of glucose units. Therefore, starch is a natural polymer.

2. **Nucleic Acid**: Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are polymers made up of nucleotide monomers. They are essential for storing and transmitting genetic information. Nucleic acids are also natural polymers.

3. **Polystyrene**: Polystyrene is a synthetic polymer made from the monomer styrene. It is commonly used in packaging and insulation materials. Since polystyrene is man-made, it is not a natural polymer.

4. **Protein**: Proteins are polymers made from amino acids. They play crucial roles in biological processes and are found in all living organisms. Thus, proteins are natural polymers.

After analyzing all the options, we can conclude that:

- Starch: Natural Polymer
- Nucleic Acid: Natural Polymer
- Polystyrene: Not a Natural Polymer (Synthetic Polymer)
- Protein: Natural Polymer

Therefore, the answer to the question "Which of the following is not a natural polymer?" is **Polystyrene**.