What are macromolecules? Give examples.

A macromolecule is a very large molecule composed of thousands of covalently bonded atoms that performs essential roles in biological and synthetic systems

Biological macromolecules are built from smaller organic units called monomers that join via covalent bonds to form polymers necessary for life processes

Macromolecules possess high molecular weights often exceeding 1000 atomic mass units which confer unique physical properties such as viscosity and stability

History of concept

• The term macromolecule was coined in the 1920s by Nobel laureate Hermann Staudinger who proposed that polymers are giant covalent molecules rather than colloidal aggregates

• Staudinger’s Macromolecular Hypothesis first articulated in 1920 and developed through the 1920s laid the foundation for modern polymer science and earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1953

Importance in biology and industry

• Macromolecules comprise the majority of a cell’s dry mass and are integral to cellular structure function and energy storage

• Synthetic macromolecules such as plastics and synthetic fibers underpin industries from materials engineering to healthcare

Examples of biological macromolecules

• Carbohydrates

  • Monosaccharides such as glucose and fructose

  • Polysaccharides such as starch cellulose and glycogen

• Proteins

  • Enzymes such as DNA polymerase and amylase

  • Structural proteins such as collagen and keratin

• Nucleic acids

  • DNA carrying genetic information

  • RNA involved in transcription and translation

• Lipids

  • Triglycerides such as fats and oils

  • Phospholipids forming cellular membranes