ZoBell discovered that the attachment of organisms must first be preceded by the adsorption of organic compounds now referred to as extracellular polymeric substances.

His major contribution there was to explain the behavior of a natural polymeric substance like rubber.

Before examining the viscoelastic behaviour of amorphous polymeric substances in more detail, some of the fundamental terms used will be defined.

Jöns Jakob Berzelius first mentioned the heptazines in the 1830s when he discovered a polymeric substance after mercury thiocyanate ignition.

In a developed pellicle, there are a number of substances between the cells (extracellular polymeric substances) which help maintain the pellicle matrix.

For the extracellular polymeric substances, many proteins and other bio-macromolecules are required.

Biofilms consist of microorganisms and their self-produced extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).

Microbial mats are generally held together and bound to their substrates by slimy extracellular polymeric substances which they secrete.

EPS is an abbreviation for either extracellular polymeric substance or exopolysaccharide.

Over-used (meaning over-heated repeatedly), such oils can accumulate polymeric substances and degradation products that have been shown to be detrimental to health.