What are the individual molecules that make up polymers called?

The individual molecules that make up polymers are referred to as monomers. Monomers are small, repetitive units that link together through chemical reactions to form larger, more complex structures known as polymers. This process of linking monomers is called polymerization. The distinction lies in their size and function: monomers serve as the building blocks for polymers, which can be composed of thousands of these units.

In the context of polymer chemistry, oligomers refer to short chains of monomers, but they are not the primary building blocks themselves. Dimers consist of just two monomer units bonded together, which is a specific case rather than a general term for all polymers. The term polymers encompasses the entire structure made from many monomers, not the individual units. Thus, understanding that monomers are the fundamental units of polymers clarifies their role in the formation of various materials, including plastics, proteins, and nucleic acids.