Polyacrylamide
Polyacrylamide[edit | edit source]
Polyacrylamide is a polymer formed from acrylamide subunits. It is a water-soluble polymer that is widely used in various applications, including water treatment, gel electrophoresis, and as a soil conditioner.
Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]
Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer that is made by the polymerization of acrylamide monomers. The polymer chain consists of repeating units of the acrylamide molecule, which is a small organic compound with the formula C_H_NO. The polymer can be synthesized in various forms, including linear and cross-linked structures, depending on the intended application.
Polyacrylamide is known for its ability to form gels and its high water absorption capacity. It is often used in the form of a gel for gel electrophoresis, a technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or proteins based on their size and charge.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Water Treatment[edit | edit source]
In water treatment, polyacrylamide is used as a flocculant to remove suspended particles from water. It helps in the aggregation of particles, making them easier to remove by sedimentation or filtration. This application is crucial in both municipal and industrial water treatment processes.
Gel Electrophoresis[edit | edit source]
Polyacrylamide gels are commonly used in biochemistry and molecular biology for the separation of macromolecules. The gel acts as a sieve, allowing smaller molecules to move faster than larger ones when an electric field is applied. This technique is essential for analyzing the size and purity of nucleic acids and proteins.
Soil Conditioning[edit | edit source]
Polyacrylamide is also used as a soil conditioner to improve soil structure and reduce erosion. It helps in retaining water in the soil, which is beneficial for agriculture and landscaping.
Safety and Environmental Concerns[edit | edit source]
While polyacrylamide itself is considered non-toxic, its monomer, acrylamide, is a neurotoxin and a potential carcinogen. Therefore, it is important to ensure that polyacrylamide products are free from residual acrylamide monomers. Proper handling and disposal of polyacrylamide are necessary to minimize environmental impact.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
