Macromolecules: Large molecules
made up of many small organic molecules that are often referred to as monomers; e.g., carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and
nucleic acids. Macromolecules are polymers of monomers.
Polysaccharides: Are insoluble and may serve as a store of energy, as in the case of starch
and glycogen, or as a structual component, as in the case of cellulose which is found in the cell wall of plants. A single
cellulose chain may contain as many as 10,000 units of glucose. Polysaccharides are part of a larger family of carbohydrates..
Nucleic Acids: A long chain, or polymer, of nucleotides. The two found in cells are
DNA, which is double-stranded, and RNA, which is single-stringed.
Proteins: Are compunds that contain nitrogen as well as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Some
protiens also contain sulfur and phorphorus. The number of possible protiens is virtually unlimited.
Lipids: Include the substance commonly called fats, or oils.
