Macromolecules are large molecules composed of repeating subunits called monomers. There are four main types of macromolecules that make up cells: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Carbohydrates are made of monosaccharides linked together and function as an energy source. Lipids are made of glycerol and fatty acids and serve as an energy store. Proteins are composed of amino acids linked in chains that fold into shapes to perform the cell's functions. Nucleic acids like DNA and RNA are made of nucleotides linked together to store and transmit genetic information.

1. Macromolecules

2. What is a molecule?
A group of two or more
atoms held together by
covalent bonds
Ex:
H2O, Glucose, CH3, Cy
clohexane
What is a
macromolecule?
A very large molecule
made up of repeating
molecules or subunits
(monomers) linked
(polymerized) together
to make a polymer.

3. What are the 4 major macromolecules that make up
all cells?
Carbohydrates Lipids
Proteins Nucleic
Acids

4. Carbohydrates - sugars
Carbohydrates are made up of monomers call
monosaccharide (one sugar)
carbo-: sounds like carbon
-hydrate: means something combined with
water
 General formula for carbohydrates: CnH2nOn

5. Carbohydrates - sugars
Carbohydrates are made by a dehydration reaction
1 monosaccharide + 1 monosaccharide  1
disaccharide + 1 H2O

6. Polysaccharide sugars- made of 100’s to
1000’s of glucose (a type of monosaccharide)
monomer units linked by dehydration
reactions
ex: starch
Function of a carbohydrate is usually to be an
energy source for cells

7. Lipids - Fats
Lipids are made of a monomer of 1 glycerol
molecule and 3 fatty acids (triglyceride)
Not Really a Polymer!!

8. Proteins
 Proteins are made of a monomer of amino acids
 The R-group makes each amino acid different

9. Proteins
 Amino acids are linked together by a dehydration reaction
 A long chain of amino acids linked together is called a
polypeptide chain or polypeptide

10. Proteins
 When a polypeptide chain folds together it makes
protein.
 Proteins perform the cells functions and gives a
cell structure

11. Nucleic Acids – DNA/RNA
 Nucleic acids are made of monomers called
nucleotides
 Nucleotides link together by dehydration reactions

12. Nucleic Acids – DNA/RNA
 Each Nucleotide has 3 main parts