Figure 8.
Living cells generate biopolymers with diverse chemistries and forming diverse structures. a) Microbial cells can produce diverse biopolymers, including polysaccharides (alginate, cellulose, hyaluronate) and polyamides (poly-γ-glutamate and protein). b) Microbial cells can produce biopolymers that form diverse structures and microstructures, including flat sheets, solid particles, hollow particles, and aligned fibrils.