Monomers: Difference between revisions
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The word monomer is derived from the greek "mono" meaning one and "meros" meaning part. A monomer is an atom or molecule | The word monomer is derived from the greek "mono" meaning one and "meros" meaning part. A monomer is an [[Atom|atom]] or [[Molecule|molecule]] which acts as a building block which may react chemically with other molecules of the same type (other monomers) in order to form longer chain molecules ([[Polymer|polymers]]). | ||
A common natural example of a monomer is [[Glucose|glucose]] which forms [[Glycosidic bond|glycosidic bonds]]. The resulting polymers are [[Cellulose|cellulose]] or [[Starch|starch]]. | |||
It should be noted that polymers of smaller [[Molecular weight|molecular weights]] can be referred to as dimers (2 sub-units), trimers (3 sub-units) etc. | |||
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References: | |||
Alberts ''et al. ''Molecular Biology of the Cell (5th Edition), 2008 | |||
Revision as of 20:30, 1 December 2011
The word monomer is derived from the greek "mono" meaning one and "meros" meaning part. A monomer is an atom or molecule which acts as a building block which may react chemically with other molecules of the same type (other monomers) in order to form longer chain molecules (polymers).
A common natural example of a monomer is glucose which forms glycosidic bonds. The resulting polymers are cellulose or starch.
It should be noted that polymers of smaller molecular weights can be referred to as dimers (2 sub-units), trimers (3 sub-units) etc.
References:
Alberts et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell (5th Edition), 2008