Monomer Definition and Examples (Chemistry)

Monomer Definition and Examples (Chemistry) A monomer is a molecule that forms the basic unit for polymers, which are the building blocks of proteins. Monomers bind to other monomers to form repeating chain molecules through a process known as polymerization. Monomers may be either natural or synthetic in origin. Oligomers are polymers consisting of a small number (typically under 100) of monomer subunits. Monomeric proteins are protein molecules that combine to form multi-protein complexes. Biopolymers are polymers consisting of organic monomers found in living organisms. Because monomers represent a huge class of molecules, they are commonly categorized into various subgroups such as sugars, alcohols, amines, acrylics, and epoxides. The term monomer combines the prefix mono-, which means one, and the suffix -mer, which means part. Examples of Monomers Glucose, vinyl chloride, amino acids, and ethylene are examples of monomers. Each monomer may link in different ways to form a variety of polymers. In the case of glucose, for example, glycosidic bonds may link sugar monomers to form such polymers as glycogen, starch, and cellulose. Names for Small Monomers When only a few monomers combine to form a polymer, the compounds have names: Dimer: Polymer consisting of two monomersTrimer: Three monomer unitsTetramer: Four monomer unitsPentamer: Five monomer unitsHexamer: Six monomer unitsHeptamer: Seven monomer unitsOctamer: Eight monomer unitsNonamer: Nine monomer unitsDecamer: 10 monomer unitsDodecamer: 12 monomer unitsEicosamer: 20 monomer units