What Is the Role of a Macromolecule?

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What is the role of Macromolecules? Macromolecules have a major role in everyday life, we might not notice this because we don't exactly know what we use them for and why they are so important to us, mainly because we can see them therefore we are not aware that they exist. The term macromolecules is sometimes used to refer to aggregates of two or more macromolecules held together by intermolecular forces rather then by chemical bonds. Another common macromolecule property that does not characterize smaller molecules is the need for assistance in dissolving into solution. Many require salts or particular ions to dissolve in water. Cells can combine small molecules into large macromolecules, forming a higher level in the biological hierarchy. Macromolecules are polymers, chains of identical or similar subunit molecules called monomers. Although there is a limited number of monomers common to all organisms, each organism is unique because of the specific arrangement of there monomers into polymers with distinctive structures and properties. Monomers of all four classes of macromolecules form larger molecules by a number of different methods for example, dehydration and synthesis, a chemical reaction in which one monomers donates a hydrolysis. In this way large molecules in food are digested into monomers small enough to enter our cells. Macromolecules are made from four major classes of organic compounds in cells, and all four of these organic compounds have roles of there own that combine together and produce the major role of macromolecules. The four major classes are Carbohydrates. Lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Lipids, make up most structurally heterogeneous class of macromolecu... ... middle of paper ... ..., life as we know it would not be possible. The structure of these molecules is intimately related to their function. A continuing theme throughout much of the biological world is this relationship between form and function. When these small organic molecules are joined together, "giant" molecules are produced, This as we know it is a macromolecule. Macromolecules have a number of similarities and differences for example nucleic acids and proteins are large molecules with complicated three-dimensional structures. These structures are formed from simpler elements that are suitably arranged. Although structural details vary from macromolecule to macromolecule, a few general patterns describe the overall of most macromolecules. This means that even though Macromolecules are made, shaped and function differently they still play the same vital roles. Total words: 1533

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