What is a monomer?

A monomer is defined as a small molecule that can chemically bond with other molecules to form a larger structure known as a polymer. This process often occurs through a series of reactions where monomers link together, creating chains or branched structures that contribute to the complexity of macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates.

Understanding the role of monomers is crucial in biochemistry, as they are the building blocks of these larger compounds. For example, amino acids serve as monomers for proteins, while nucleotides are the monomers for nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. This concept highlights the fundamental nature of monomers in biological systems and their importance in various biochemical processes.