monomères

A monomer is a molecule that can be bonded to other identical or similar molecules to form a long chain-like structure, known as a polymer. This process is called polymerization. Monomers are the fundamental building blocks of polymers, which are essential in many natural and synthetic materials. Examples of monomers include ethylene, which polymerizes to form polyethylene, a common plastic. Another important monomer is vinyl chloride, used to produce polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Amino acids are monomers that link together to form proteins, and nucleotides are monomers that form nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. The specific chemical structure of a monomer determines the properties of the resulting polymer. Monomers can be small organic molecules, often containing double or triple bonds that allow them to react and join together. Their ability to repeatedly add to a growing chain is the defining characteristic that makes them monomers.