What is a monomer?

A monomer is defined as a single unit that serves as the building block for larger structures known as polymers. In biological contexts, monomers can include simple molecules like amino acids, nucleotides, and simple sugars. These monomers can chemically bond with one another through processes such as dehydration synthesis to form more complex structures.

For instance, when amino acids join together, they form proteins, which are polymers made from these monomeric building blocks. Nucleotides, which are the monomers of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, link together to create long chains that store and transmit genetic information. Thus, the key characteristic of a monomer is its ability to combine with other similar units to create larger and more complex macromolecules.