Macromolecules are just that - large molecules. The four groups of macromolecules, shown in the table below, are essential to the structure and function of a cell.
| Group (Building Block) |
Large Molecule | Function | To Identify, Look for . . . |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrate (Monosaccharide) |
Polysaccharide | Energy storage, receptors, structure of plant cell wall | Made of C,H, and O; –OH's on all carbons except one |
| Protein (Amino acid) |
Polypeptide or protein | Enzymes, structure, receptors, transport, and more | Contain N, have N-C-C backbone |
| Nucleic acid (Nucleotide) |
Polynucleotide or nucleic acid | Information storage and transfer | Contain N in rings, nucleotides made of sugar, phosphate and nitrogenous base |
| Lipid * (Glycerol, fatty acids) |
Fats, oils, waxes, phosopholipids, steroids | Membrane structure, energy storage, insulation | Made of C,H, and O; lots of C-H bonds; may have some C=C bonds (unsaturated); steroids have 4 rings |
| *Lipids are not polymers. |