Monomers are molecules that are essential components of most biological molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. The monomeric structure of these molecules is responsible for their unique properties, such as solubility, thermal stability, and the ability to form covalent bonds. As such, it is important for biologists to be able to distinguish between monomers and other molecules. One of the most common questions asked in this regard is "Which of the following is not a monomer?".
Types of Monomers
In general, there are two types of monomers: organic and inorganic. Organic monomers are those molecules that contain carbon-carbon bonds, while inorganic monomers contain other types of bonds. Examples of organic monomers include amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleotides, while inorganic monomers include ions and metal complexes.Comparison
| Monomer Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Organic | Amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleotides |
| Inorganic | Ions, metal complexes |