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Dictionary » M » Macromolecule

Macromolecule

Definition

noun, plural: macromolecules

A large complex molecule, such as nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, with relatively large molecular weight.


Supplement

In biology, a macromolecule is a term used to contrast a micromolecule (which is smaller in size and in molecular weight). Macromolecules are usually used to refer to large biological polymers, such as nucleic acids and proteins, which are made up of small monomers linked together.


Word origin: macro- (large) + molecule.
Related forms: macromolecular (adjective)

Compare: micromolecule


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What is a monomer?

Hi I need some help in what is a monomer? There are four principal biological macromolecules which is protein, lipids, carbohydrate or nuclei acid. A macromolecule is a giant molecule formed by joining a smaller molecule, usually by a condensation reaction. Of ...

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by Sherry
Sun Jun 01, 2008 1:40 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: What is a monomer?
Replies: 6
Views: 3228

Please Help! Macromolecules

For crystallographers the distinction between small molecule and macromolecule tends to be set at the current limit of direct methods to easily solve a structure. Right now that limit is somewhere in the vicinity of 700 non-hydrogen atoms, which would be ...

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by blcr11
Fri Mar 14, 2008 3:09 pm
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: Please Help! Macromolecules
Replies: 9
Views: 646

Please Help! Macromolecules

... Why is it that the chemical formula of Glucose (C6H12O6) has 6 Carbon atoms, 12 Hydrogen and 6 Oxygen atoms, but when I actually look at the macromolecule in a 3d structure I can only see ONE Carbon atom, 12 Hydrogen atoms and 6 Oxygen atoms? Like I said before this is probably a very simple ...

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by Gumber
Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:49 pm
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: Please Help! Macromolecules
Replies: 9
Views: 646

isotonic solution

well that depends in what reference you are talking about.That means whether solution is isotonic with respect to glucose,sodium,or any other macromolecule which may influence the osmotic properties of the cell. If all the factors are kept "isotonic" then the net movement of any molecule ...

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by vaibhavsmarty
Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:39 am
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: isotonic solution
Replies: 6
Views: 2706

Re: Getting started

... to learn? What is a protein? I seem to understand the basic structure of DNA and the names but I can't understand what protein is. I know it's a macromolecule comprised of amino acids that makes up muscle tissue and finger nails. I just have little bits and pieces but I don't know what it really ...

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by luay
Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:52 pm
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: Getting started
Replies: 6
Views: 855
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