Final answer:
Monomers are small molecules that form macromolecules by joining together through covalent bonds in a dehydration synthesis. 'Mono' refers to one and indicates a single monomer, while 'poly' means many, referring to a polymer or macromolecule composed of multiple monomers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Monomers are the simple forms of macromolecules, and polymerization is when you start connecting these monomers together. To consider this concept, if 'mono' indicates a single unit, that’s a monomer, which is a small molecule that can join with many others like it to form a large molecule called a polymer. On the other hand, 'poly' implies many or multiple, which refers to the assembling of many monomers into a macromolecule.
Monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to create polymers through a process called dehydration synthesis or condensation, where water is released. When polymers break down into monomers, this process is known as hydrolysis, and it involves using a water molecule to break the bonds. Carbohydrates, one of the four major classes of biological macromolecules, can be further categorized into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. These polymers have critical roles in energy storage and structural support across various forms of life.