What is Monomeric? Definition and Examples

Monomeric refers to a molecule that consists of only one repeating unit, or a small molecule that is the building block of a larger molecule. In other words, it is a molecule that cannot be broken down into smaller parts.

In polymer chemistry, monomers are the individual units that are combined to form a polymer. For example, ethylene (CH2=CH2) and propylene (CH2=CH-CH3) are both monomeric molecules that can be combined to form polyethylene and polypropylene, respectively.

In biology, monomeric proteins are proteins that consist of only one polypeptide chain, whereas oligomeric proteins are proteins that consist of multiple polypeptide chains.

In general, the term "monomeric" is used to describe any molecule or structure that consists of only one repeating unit, whether it is a polymer, a protein, or something else entirely.