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A polymer is a long, repeating organic chain, formed through the linkage of
many identical smaller molecules called monomers.

The term polymer covers a large, diverse group of molecules, including
substances from proteins to high-strength kevlar fibres. A key feature that
distinguishes polymers from other large molecules is the repetition of units
of atoms (monomers) in their chains. This occurs during polymerization, in
which many identical monomer molecules link to each other. For example, the
formation of polyethene involves thousands of ethene molecules bonding
together to form a chain of repeating -CH2- units.

Because polymers are distinguished by their constituent monomers, polymer
chains within a substance are often not of equal length. This is unlike
other molecules in which every atom is acounted for, each molecule having a
set molecular mass. Differing chain lengths occur because polymer chains
terminate during polymerization after random intervals of chain lengthening
(propagation).

Proteins are polymers of amino acids. From a dozen to some hundred of the
(about) 20 different monomers form the chain, the sequence of monomers
determining the shape and activity of the final protein. But there are
active regions, surrounded by, as it believed now (Aug 2003), structural
regions, whose sole role is to expose the active region(s) (there may be
more than one on a given protein). So the absolute sequence of amino acids
is not important, as long as the active regions are expressed (being
accessible from the outside) properly. Also, whereas the formation of
polyethylene occurs spontaneously given the right conditions, the
manufacture of biopolymers such as proteins and nucleic acids requires the
help of catalysts (substances that facilitate or accelerate reactions.)
Since the 1950s, catalysts have also revolutionised the development of
synthetic polymers. By allowing more careful control over polymerization
reactions, polymers with new properties, such as the ability to emit
coloured light, have been manufactured.

Therefore for a tiling adhesive or grout the polymer will surround the cement ball in plastic reducing water permeability, allowing the rigid cement to flex and also increasing the overall adhesion when bonding ceramics to none porous surfaces etc so polymer is such an important player in many industries but very much in need where ceramics are involved.
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