Monomer — Science definition
Defined in 2 courses:
- A small molecule that serves as a building block for a larger polymer. (Life Science: Biology)
- A building-block reactant used to form a polymer. (Physical Science: Chemistry)
Where it is taught
- Carbon & the Macromolecules of Life — Investigating the Chemistry of Life, Life Science: Biology, Grade 10
- Polymers, Materials & Chemical Design — Organic Chemistry & Material Design, Physical Science: Chemistry, Grade 11
In use
They are a diverse group, not one family of repeating-monomer polymers.
Carbon & the Macromolecules of Life
Questions using monomer
Problem 1
- monosaccharide
- fatty acid
- amino acid
- nucleotide
Answer and explanation
amino acid
Proteins are polymers of amino acids; there are 20 kinds that cells string together in different orders.
Problem 2
Answer and explanation
Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are polymers assembled from monosaccharides, amino acids, and nucleotides respectively. Lipids are large and built partly by dehydration synthesis, but a triglyceride is a glycerol joined to three fatty acids rather than a chain of identical repeating units, so it is not a polymer in the same sense. The generalization holds for three of the four classes.
Response criteria
- State a biologically accurate conclusion.
- Show the data, mechanism, or calculation that supports it.
- Include units, conditions, or limits where relevant.
Problem 3
- Protein — nucleotide
- Nucleic acid — amino acid
- Carbohydrate — monosaccharide
- Lipid — glucose
Answer and explanation
Carbohydrate — monosaccharide
Carbohydrates are built from monosaccharides. Proteins use amino acids, nucleic acids use nucleotides, and lipids are not true polymers of a single repeating monomer.
Problem 4
Answer and explanation
The monomer is a starting molecule; the repeat unit is the recurring structure after reaction and may have different bonding or composition.
Response criteria
- State a scientifically accurate conclusion.
- Show the calculation or mechanism that supports it.
- Include units, conditions, or limits where relevant.