What is a monomer?

A monomer is defined as a small single subunit of larger molecules, forming the building blocks of polymers. Polymers are composed of many monomers chemically bonded together, which can create complex structures. For example, in biology, monomers such as amino acids link together to form proteins, while simple sugars can come together to create polysaccharides like starch and cellulose. Understanding the role of monomers is essential in fields such as biochemistry, materials science, and molecular biology, as they form the foundational units from which more complex biological structures are assembled. This highlights the importance of monomers in the study of biological macromolecules and their functions.