What are the monomers of a macromolecule
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
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Answer:
The monomers of a macromolecule are the small, basic building blocks that chemically bond together to form a larger complex molecule called a macromolecule. Examples include:
- Carbohydrates: Monomers are monosaccharides (simple sugars like glucose).
- Proteins: Monomers are amino acids.
- Nucleic acids: Monomers are nucleotides.
- Lipids: Generally not polymers, but some lipids like triglycerides are formed from monomers such as glycerol and fatty acids.
Explanation:
Macromolecules are large, complex molecules essential for life, made up of smaller units called monomers. The process of linking monomers together to form macromolecules is called polymerization.
- Carbohydrates: These macromolecules are primarily energy sources and structural materials. Their monomers are monosaccharides, such as glucose, fructose, and galactose. When monosaccharides link through glycosidic bonds, they form disaccharides (like sucrose) or polysaccharides (like starch, glycogen, cellulose).
- Proteins: Proteins are made of amino acid monomers. Each amino acid has a central carbon, an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a side chain (R group). Amino acids join by peptide bonds to form polypeptides, which fold into functional proteins. Proteins serve as enzymes, structural components, signaling molecules, and more.
- Nucleic acids: DNA and RNA are polymers made from nucleotide monomers. Each nucleotide consists of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The sequence of nucleotides stores genetic information and directs cellular function.
- Lipids: Unlike the others, lipids are not always polymers built from repeating monomers. However, some lipids, like triglycerides, are formed from the monomers glycerol and three fatty acids. Lipids mainly function in energy storage, membrane structure, and signaling.
Understanding monomers and their polymerization into macromolecules helps explain the structure and function of biological molecules, which are critical for life processes such as energy storage, catalysis, genetic information storage, and cellular architecture.
