What do you mean by the term monomers?
What do you mean by the term monomers?
Monomer Definition
A monomer is a small molecule that reacts with a similar molecule to form a larger molecule. It is the smallest unit in a polymer, which is often a macromolecule with high molecular weight.
Monomers are the building blocks for biological macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins and carbohydrates. At the end of digestion, these polymers are broken down into their monomeric components – carbohydrates are enzymatically digested to monosaccharides, DNA and RNA are converted into nucleotides, proteins are broken down into their constituent amino acids, before being absorbed by the body. These nutrients are then used to create polymers based on the genetic composition and instructions within the body.
Monomers are also important in the synthesis of many materials in the industrial world. Polymerization of ethane results in the creation of polyethane – the most common plastic in the world. Many synthetic fabrics are also polymers created usually from two alternating monomers.
Examples of Monomer
Monosaccharides – The Most Accessible Energy
Carbohydrates are macronutrient polymers that must be broken into smaller units, called monosaccharides, before being used for energy. Monosaccharides, along with glucose and fructose, are part of a larger group of isomers.
A monomer is a small molecule that reacts with a similar molecule to form a larger molecule. It is the smallest unit in a polymer, which is often a macromolecule with high molecular weight.
Monomers are the building blocks for biological macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins and carbohydrates. At the end of digestion, these polymers are broken down into their monomeric components – carbohydrates are enzymatically digested to monosaccharides, DNA and RNA are converted into nucleotides, proteins are broken down into their constituent amino acids, before being absorbed by the body. These nutrients are then used to create polymers based on the genetic composition and instructions within the body.
Monomers are also important in the synthesis of many materials in the industrial world. Polymerization of ethane results in the creation of polyethane – the most common plastic in the world. Many synthetic fabrics are also polymers created usually from two alternating monomers.
Examples of Monomer
Monosaccharides – The Most Accessible Energy
Carbohydrates are macronutrient polymers that must be broken into smaller units, called monosaccharides, before being used for energy. Monosaccharides, along with glucose and fructose, are part of a larger group of isomers.
