Unit 3: Macromolecules About this unit This unit is part of the Biology archive. Browse videos and articles by topic. For our most up-to-date, mastery-enabled courses, check out High School Biology …

For example, a carbohydrate is a macromolecule that is classified as a polymer because it is made up of repeating monosaccharides, but a fat (lipid) is a macromolecule that cannot be further classified …

Even a single type of monomer may form different polymers with different properties. For example, starch, glycogen, and cellulose are all carbohydrates made up of glucose monomers, but they have …

Overview of lipids, covering fats and oils, saturated and unsaturated fats, triglycerides (triacylglycerols), phospholipids, and steroids.

Here, we’ll touch on a few examples of common protein types that may be familiar to you, and that are important in the biology of many organisms (including us).

Cellulose, for example, is a major component of plant cell walls, which are rigid structures that enclose the cells (and help make lettuce and other veggies crunchy).

Nucleic acids, macromolecules made out of units called nucleotides, come in two naturally occurring varieties: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).

Together, these groups are called biological macromolecules, or biomolecules for short. Biomolecules are organic, meaning their chemical structures always include the element carbon (C) . Biomolecules …

A macromolecule is a molecule containing a very large amount of atoms, such as a protein, nucleic acid, or synthetic polymer.

Nucleic acids, macromolecules made out of units called nucleotides, come in two naturally occurring varieties: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).