A common feature of reactions linking monomers to form macromolecules is that monomers are joined by covalent bonds through a process called dehydration synthesis (or condensation reaction), where a water molecule is released as a byproduct. This involves the removal of a hydroxyl group (-OH) from one monomer and a hydrogen atom (H) from another, allowing the formation of a new covalent bond between the monomers. This mechanism is typical in forming polymers such as proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides
. More specifically:
- In proteins, amino acids are linked by peptide bonds formed via dehydration synthesis
- In carbohydrates, monosaccharides are linked by glycosidic bonds through dehydration reactions, releasing water
- In nucleic acids, nucleotides are joined by phosphodiester bonds, also formed by dehydration synthesis
Thus, the key common feature is the formation of covalent bonds between monomers accompanied by the loss of a water molecule during the polymerization process
