What are four major macromolecules and what is their structure and function?

1. Nucleic acids: Made of sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base, nucleotides contain nitrogen atoms arranged in rings.

Composed of C, H, and O, carbohydrates have –OH groups on all but one carbon.

Made up of C, H, and O, lipids have a large number of C-H bonds and may also contain some unsaturated C=C bonds.

Proteins: N-containing, N-C-C based

Use:

The four major macromolecules are:

1. Carbohydrates: Structure: Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Function: Provide energy, serve as structural components, and participate in cell recognition.

2. Proteins: Structure: Made up of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds. Function: Perform various roles such as enzymes, structural support, transport, signaling, and defense.

3. Lipids: Structure: Comprised of fatty acids and glycerol. Function: Serve as energy storage molecules, form cell membranes, act as signaling molecules, and provide insulation.

4. Nucleic Acids: Structure: Consist of nucleotide monomers containing a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base. Function: Store and transmit genetic information (DNA and RNA), and participate in protein synthesis.

The four major macromolecules are:

1. Carbohydrates:

   • Structure: Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. They are made up of monosaccharide units (such as glucose) linked together in chains.
   • Function: Serve as a primary source of energy for living organisms. They also play a structural role in cells and tissues.

2. Lipids:

   • Structure: Made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Lipids include fats, oils, phospholipids, and steroids. They are characterized by their hydrophobic nature.
   • Function: Serve as energy storage molecules, provide insulation, form cell membranes, and act as signaling molecules.

3. Proteins:

   • Structure: Composed of amino acid monomers linked together by peptide bonds to form polypeptide chains. Proteins have a unique three-dimensional structure determined by their amino acid sequence.
   • Function: Serve a wide range of functions, including enzyme catalysis, structural support, transport of molecules, immune defense, and cell signaling.

4. Nucleic Acids:

   • Structure: Composed of nucleotide monomers, which consist of a phosphate group, a sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), and a nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine, or thymine/uracil). Nucleotides are linked together to form nucleic acid polymers (DNA or RNA).
   • Function: Store and transmit genetic information. DNA carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of organisms. RNA plays a role in protein synthesis and gene expression.

These macromolecules are essential for the structure, function, and regulation of cells and organisms.