What does the prefix "mono" refer to?

The prefix "mono" refers to the concept of one. In various contexts, particularly in chemistry and language, "mono" indicates that there is a single unit or a singular presence of something. For instance, in chemistry, a compound may be described as monounsaturated to indicate that there is only one double bond in its structure. Similarly, terms like monocycle or monologue emphasize the singularity of a cycle or speech, respectively. This aligns perfectly with the meaning of the prefix, underscoring its significance in identifying one specific entity or characteristic.