What is a polymer?

A polymer is defined as a large compound that is formed by the chemical bonding of many smaller units known as monomers. This process typically involves a type of reaction called polymerization, where these monomers link together to create long chains or networks. Polymers can be natural, such as proteins and nucleic acids, or synthetic, like plastics and fibers. The structural complexity and varied properties of polymers make them integral to many biological processes and industrial applications.

This understanding of polymers is fundamental in science, particularly in fields like chemistry and biology, where their role in the composition and function of substances is significant. The characterization of polymers as large compounds highlights their complexity and distinction from simpler molecules, such as monosaccharides which are single units of carbohydrates.