Login

Join for Free!
16831 members
Dictionary » M » Monomer

Monomer

Definition

noun, plural: monomers

(1) A molecule that may react chemically to another molecule of the same type to form a larger molecule, such as dimer, trimer, tetramer, polymer, etc.

(2) The simplest unit, or the repeating unit, of a polymer.


Supplement

A monomer may combine with another monomer through chemical bonds to form a larger molecule, as in a polymer.

Examples of monomers are amino acids that link together by a peptide bond forming a polypeptide or protein.


Word origin: from Greek mono "one" and meros "part".

Related forms: monomeric (adjective).

Compare: polymer.


Please contribute to this project, if you have more information about this term feel free to edit this page



This page was last modified 08:22, 31 July 2008. This page has been accessed 4,187 times. 
What links here | Related changes | Permanent link