Here's a breakdown of what makes a molecule a macromolecule:
* Size: Macromolecules are generally considered to be large molecules with molecular weights of at least 10,000 daltons.
* Structure: They are typically formed by the joining of smaller repeating units called monomers.
* Types: The four major types of biological macromolecules are:
* Carbohydrates: Made up of sugar monomers.
* Lipids (fats and oils): Made up of fatty acid monomers.
* Proteins: Made up of amino acid monomers.
* Nucleic Acids (DNA and RNA): Made up of nucleotide monomers.
Examples of macromolecules:
* Starch: A complex carbohydrate made up of many glucose monomers.
* Proteins: Like enzymes, antibodies, and hormones, are complex structures made up of chains of amino acids.
* DNA: A very long molecule that carries genetic information, made up of nucleotides.
Let me know if you'd like to know more about a specific macromolecule!