Final answer:
Polymerization is the formation of a polymer. The correct answer is C. The formation of a polymer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Polymerization is the process by which monomers are chemically connected to form a larger molecule called a polymer. These monomers link together predominantly through covalent bonds, creating a polymer chain. This process can occur through different types of reactions, but one common method is through condensation reactions, where water is released as a byproduct.
For example, in the creation of biological macromolecules like proteins, this is referred to as dehydration synthesis because water molecules are produced during the linkage of amino acids into polypeptide chains. Similarly, polymer chains with long sequences of nucleotides form polynucleotides, and chains of monosaccharides create polysaccharides.
The definition of polymerization closely aligns with option C: the formation of a polymer. Polymers have various applications, including the creation of plastics, fibers, and biological macromolecules like DNA, RNA, and proteins, each consisting of different types of monomer units linked by covalent bonds.