Answer – Monomers are simple molecules that can link themselves to one another in a repeated fashion to form long chains. The molecular chains thus produced are composed of an undefined number of monomers and are called polymers.

Explanation: 

The word ‘monomer’ comes from the Greek words mono, meaning ‘one,’ and meros, meaning ‘part.’ Thus, monomers are single, small molecules that have at least two binding sites where they get linked to one another through covalent bonds. This results in larger chain-like molecules known as polymers. Monomers are hence the building blocks of polymers and include molecules like glucose, amino acids, and ethylene.

The term ‘polymer’ is also derived from two Greek words – polus, meaning ‘many,’ and meros, meaning ‘parts.’ Polymers are therefore complex molecules made up of many repeating monomer units. They may occur naturally or be prepared synthetically through a process called polymerization. Some examples of polymers are DNA, starch, cellulose, polypeptides, and polyethylene.

Based on the monomers that form them, polymers can be grouped into two types: heteropolymers, which comprise different types of monomers, and homopolymers, which constitute the same type of monomers.

Polymers are sometimes also produced from clubbed groups of a few dozen monomers called oligomers. The properties of these change considerably if the number of monomers is altered. Examples are acrylic and collagen.

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