Final answer:
In a condensation reaction, monomers combine and release water to form a new covalent bond, thereby building macromolecules like proteins and polysaccharides. This process is fundamental in biological systems for the construction of complex polymers.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a condensation reaction, which is also known as dehydration synthesis, macromolecules are formed by the combination of monomers. Monomers release a molecule of water, resulting in the formation of a covalent bond between them. These reactions are critical in the synthesis of various polymers, including proteins, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids. For instance, when two amino acids undergo a condensation reaction, they form a peptide bond and release a molecule of water.
Such reactions are integral in biological processes. Polypeptide chains grow by repeated condensation reactions during translation, and polysaccharides form by the polymerization of glucose monomers. The formation of condensation polymers not only results in larger molecules but also imparts new characteristics to these macromolecules, beneficial for the maintenance of cellular conditions. Importantly, while these reactions build polymers by losing water, the reverse process, hydrolysis, breaks down polymers into monomers using water.