Plastic

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/plastic

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 chemical structure?Long-chain polymers composed of repeating monomer units
2. What is the key historical development?Invention of Bakelite (1907) as the first fully synthetic plastic
3. What is plastic made of?Plastic is made from long chains of molecules called polymers. These chains come from repeating small units called monomers.
4. Why do we use plastic in medicine?Plastic is used in medicine to make single‑use items like syringes and IV bags. These plastic tools help keep patients safe from germs.

Polymerization: The chemical process of joining monomers to form a polymer chain.
Monomer: A small molecule that serves as the repeating unit in a polymer.
Biodegradable: Capable of being decomposed by biological agents, especially bacteria.