Can cells take in polymers?

Question

If so, how? By what process?

Answer 1

In short, yes.

In most cases large polymers are broken down by excreting enzymes that break them up into very small units and monomers, then the cells absorb them through channels. However, some cells can take in large polymers directly. One way is the method of the ameoba, it can perform phagocytosis and directly ingest large sections of food.

Answer 2

Cells can take in some polymers (like proteins) through a process known as endocytosis, where the polymer is wrapped in the plasma membrane and enters the cell in a vesicle.

Answer 3

I know some bipolymers such as proteins and nucleic acids are created by cells. The meterials to form polymers can most definitely pass through a cell wall, but, without looking it up, I dont know if an actual polymer can .