JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3pl099
The main structural reason why PHBV and nylon 2-nylon 6 are biodegradable is that
Athey have long saturated all-carbon backbones
Bthey are cross-linked and insoluble
Ctheir ester or amide backbone links can be hydrolysed by microbial enzymes
Dthey contain strong C−F bonds
Answer: C
Enzymes secreted by microorganisms cleave ester and amide bonds by hydrolysis, breaking the polymer into small monomers that organisms metabolise. An all-carbon backbone is the reason addition polymers like polythene resist this.