What is the term for a small molecule that can combine chemically with other monomers to form a polymer?

The term that describes a small molecule capable of chemically combining with other monomers to form a polymer is monomer. Monomers serve as the building blocks of polymers and can join together through various types of chemical bonds, such as covalent bonds, in processes like dehydration synthesis or polymerization.

This characteristic of monomers is fundamental in biochemistry and molecular biology, as they create larger, more complex structures that serve different biological roles. For instance, in the case of carbohydrates, simple sugars (monomers) can link together to form polysaccharides (polymers) like starch or cellulose. Understanding the role of monomers is essential for grasping the concepts of polymer formation and function in biological systems.