Final answer:
A polymer is a large molecule made up of many smaller monomers covalently bonded in a repeating pattern. These macromolecules are essential in various applications, including the formation of synthetic plastics and biological substances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Polymers are large molecules, or macromolecules, consisting of many repeated subunits known as monomers. These polymers play crucial roles in everyday life, contributing to a myriad of applications from synthetic plastics to biological molecules such as DNA and proteins. Polymers are created through processes called polymerization, where monomers are covalently bonded to form longer chains, typically through addition or condensation reactions.
An addition polymer involves chain addition reactions between monomers that contain a double bond, and the process includes initiation, propagation, and termination steps. Natural polymers include important biological compounds, and they often form through dehydration or condensation reactions, while breakdowns occur via hydrolysis reactions.
Therefore, the correct response to the question, which requests the description of a polymer, is 'A. large molecule made of smaller subunits.'