Monomer

Monomer is a molecule that can bind chemically to other molecules to form a larger macromolecule. The term "monomer" is derived from the Greek "mono-", meaning "one", and "meros", meaning "part". Monomers may be either natural or synthetic in origin.

Monomers are the basic building blocks of polymers, which are large molecules composed of repeating subunits. The process of converting monomers into polymers is known as polymerization. Monomers can be bonded together in different ways, resulting in different types of polymers.

Types of Monomers

There are several types of monomers, including:

• Nucleotides: These are the monomers that make up DNA and RNA. Each nucleotide consists of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

• Amino acids: These are the monomers that make up proteins. There are 20 different amino acids that can be combined in various ways to form a protein.

• Monosaccharides: These are the simplest form of sugar and are the monomers that make up complex carbohydrates.

• Glycerol and fatty acids: These are the monomers that make up lipids.

Polymerization

Polymerization is the process by which monomers are chemically bonded to form polymers. There are two main types of polymerization: addition polymerization and condensation polymerization.

• Addition polymerization: In this type of polymerization, monomers are added together without the loss of any atoms. The monomers simply attach to each other to form a long chain.

• Condensation polymerization: In this type of polymerization, monomers are joined together with the loss of small molecules such as water or alcohol.

Applications

Monomers have a wide range of applications in various industries. They are used in the production of plastics, resins, rubbers, and fibers. They are also used in the production of biological materials such as proteins and nucleic acids.

See also

• Polymer
• Dimer
• Oligomer

Monomer Resources
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