Which of the following is NOT a natural polymer?

Glycolic acid is considered a synthetic polymer rather than a natural one. It is produced through chemical processes, typically in a laboratory or industrial setting, and is most commonly associated with polyglycolic acid (PGA), which is used in various applications including surgical sutures and tissue engineering.

In contrast, cellulose, starch, and alginate are all naturally occurring polymers derived from biological sources. Cellulose is a major component of plant cell walls, starch serves as a carbohydrate storage molecule in plants, and alginate is extracted from the cell walls of brown seaweeds. Each of these natural polymers plays significant roles in nature and has various applications in fields like tissue engineering due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability.

Understanding the distinction between natural and synthetic polymers is essential in tissue engineering, as the properties of materials can greatly influence cell behavior and integration with biological tissues.