Which term describes the chemical process by which small units join to form long chain molecules?

• A. Condensation
• B. Polymerization
• C. Hydrolysis
• D. Crystallization

Answer: (B)

Polymerization is the chemical process where small units, called monomers, join together to form long chain molecules known as polymers. This directly matches the idea of building a long chain from individual units. Condensation is a type of polymerization that releases a small molecule (like water) as the link is formed, but the general concept of forming long chains is still polymerization. Hydrolysis is the opposite of polymerization—it breaks bonds with water, separating molecules. Crystallization is the process of arranging molecules into a highly ordered solid, not about linking units into chains. So the best term for the described process is polymerization.