The synthesis of a large molecule from small ones is an example of a dehydration synthesis reaction, also known as a condensation reaction. In this process, small molecules, often called monomers, join together to form a larger molecule, which is known as a polymer.
During dehydration synthesis, a water molecule is removed as the monomers bond together. This type of reaction is crucial in the formation of various macromolecules, including carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.
For instance, when two amino acids combine to form a protein, they undergo dehydration synthesis: the amino group of one amino acid reacts with the carboxyl group of another, releasing a molecule of water and forming a peptide bond. Thus, dehydration synthesis promotes the assembly of complex structures from simpler subunits, making it a fundamental process in biochemistry.