Consider the biodegradable polymer PHBV (Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-co-β-hydroxyvalerate). Which of the following is true regarding its synthesis and properties?
Correct: B
PHBV is a biodegradable copolymer. Its full name, Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-co-β-hydroxyvalerate, indicates it's a copolymer of β-hydroxybutyric acid (or 3-hydroxybutanoic acid) and β-hydroxyvaleric acid (or 3-hydroxypentanoic acid). These monomers are typically produced by the fermentation of sugars by certain bacteria (e.g., Alcaligenes eutrophus), which then polymerize them. Thus, PHBV is a biopolymer synthesized by biological systems. Its biodegradability makes it useful for medical implants and packaging. Option A is incorrect as it's a copolymer. Option C describes PGA/PLA (polyglycolic acid/polylactic acid) copolymers. Option D is incorrect as it's biologically produced and degrades relatively quickly.