Fiber

High school (ages 12+)
Making & Design

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/fiber

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary natural fiber types?Cellulose-based (cotton, flax, hemp) and protein-based (wool, silk)
2. What is the key structural element?Long polymer chains, whose alignment and bonding determine mechanical properties
3. What are natural fibers and where do they come from?Natural fibers come from plants or animals. For example, cotton comes from cotton plants, wool comes from sheep, and silk comes from silkworms.
4. Why is cotton so soft and breathable?Cotton is made of cellulose, which has a smooth structure that lets air flow easily. This makes cotton feel soft and keeps you cool.

Polymer: A large molecule composed of repeating structural units, typically connected by covalent chemical bonds.
Extrusion: A manufacturing process used to create objects of a fixed cross-sectional profile by forcing material through a die of the desired cross-section.
Biocompatibility: The ability of a material to perform with an appropriate host response in a specific application.