Final answer:
Precursors are the molecules chemically rearranged during growth and repair to form specific molecules needed by cells, usually through the process of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis, facilitated by enzymes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecules that are chemically rearranged to form specific molecules needed by the cells for growth and repair are known as precursors.
Precursors are the initial substances or compounds that undergo transformation to become more complex molecules.
During this biological process, monomers, which can bind to other monomers to form polymers, play a crucial role.
In the context of proteins, amino acids act as the monomers. By following the instructions encoded in DNA sequences, these amino acids are arranged into specific sequences to form proteins via a process known as protein synthesis.
This synthesis includes dehydration synthesis, a chemical reaction where water is removed as two monomers link to form polymers, and hydrolysis, where polymers are broken down into monomers.
Both types of reactions are facilitated by enzymes. These biological processes are essential for the growth and repair of cells, forming various macromolecules like carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.