2024-09-21
Monomers are the basic units that make up high molecular weight compounds (polymers). They are linked together through specific chemical reactions to form long chains or complex three-dimensional structures. Monomers play a vital role in both nature and industrial production.
Taking biology as an example, monomers can be nucleotides that make up DNA and RNA. DNA is composed of deoxyribonucleotides, while RNA is composed of ribonucleotides. These nucleotides are linked into chain structures through phosphodiester bonds to carry and transmit genetic information.
In protein synthesis, monomers are amino acids. Amino acids are linked into polypeptide chains through peptide bonds, and then folded and modified to form protein molecules with specific biological activities. Proteins are the main bearers of life activities and participate in almost all life processes.
In addition, in the chemical industry, monomers are also important raw materials for synthesizing high molecular weight materials. For example, ethylene monomers can be polymerized into polyethylene plastics, and propylene monomers can be polymerized into polypropylene fibers, etc. These high molecular weight materials are widely used in daily life, industrial production, and scientific and technological development.
In summary, monomers are the basic units that make up high molecular weight compounds, and they have an important position and role in both biology and the chemical industry.