Gelatin

My second example of a natural polymer that forms a hydrogel is gelatin, it is a protein that forms when collagen undergoes partial hydrolysis. Collagen is a primary protein in connective tissue, skin and bones, it is one of the most important proteins in the body as it makes up to 25-35% of the whole body protein content, if there is a lack of collagen in the body it’ll lead to a range of problems, such as loss of elasticity of the skin, and a reduction in epidermal thickness making it prone to damage. Gelatin is formed when collagen bonds break down and the individual collagen strands rearrange themselves into a new structure.