What are monomers?

Monomers are defined as individual subunits that bond together to form larger macromolecules. These subunits can be simple molecules, such as amino acids, nucleotides, and monosaccharides, which serve as the building blocks for complex structures like proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides, respectively.

When monomers join together through chemical reactions, such as dehydration synthesis, they create polymers—large, chain-like structures crucial for various biological functions. This process underscores the significance of monomers in the formation of macromolecules, illustrating how life’s complexity is derived from simple components. The understanding of monomers and their role in constructing larger molecules is foundational in biochemistry and biology.