Science, Tech, Math › Science Monomer Definition and Examples The Building Block of Polymers Share Flipboard Email Print Amino acids like glutamic acid are examples of monomers. Artystarty / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Facebook Twitter Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on January 13, 2020 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 Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Monomer Definition and Examples." ThoughtCo, Aug. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-monomer-605375. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 29). Monomer Definition and Examples. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-monomer-605375 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Monomer Definition and Examples." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-monomer-605375 (accessed March 24, 2023). copy citation