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  • Carbohydrates act as quick energy and help with structure support for cells.
  • Proteins may provide structure, serve as enzymes to speed up chemical reactions, and provide some energy.
  • Lipids make up their plasma membrane, provide cushioning and insulation in larger organisms, and help with energy storage.
  • Nucleic Acids carry all the codes for the functioning of the cell, have the ability to make new cells, and to heredity.
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The function of a carbohydrate is mainly to store energy. Carbohydrates also are used for structural purposes in plants. The function of a protein is to transport oxygen in the bloodstream (the protein hemoglobin performs this), control the rates of reactions, allow muscles to contract, fight disease/infection, and repair tissues in the body. Lipids' main task is to store energy for long periods of time. They are also used in biological/cell membranes and waterproof coverings (on organisms, not on an umbrella per say). Nucleic acids are meant to store genetic and hereditary information.

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10y ago
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1. Carbohydrates

Made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (Chitin also contains nitrogen).

(A) Monosaccharides and Disaccharides.

Examples: Glucose, Ribose, Maltose, Lactose, Sucrose

Structure: Can exist as a carbon chain, or as a ring. The ring form is more stable and more prevalent at equilibrium. Disaccharides are made of two monosaccharides joined by a glycosidic linkage (an oxygen atom holding two rings together).

Function: Glucose is the principle molecule used for energy production during cellular respiration.

(B) Polysaccharides

Examples: Cellulose, Starch, Glycogen, Chitin

Structure: Chains of monosaccharides joined by glycosidic linkages (one oxygen atom joins 2 rings).

Function: Cellulose and chitin are structural; starch and glycogen are means of storing glucose for long periods.

2. Lipids

Made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (in some cases phosphorus as well).

(A) Triglycerides

Structure: 1 glycerol molecule joined to 3 fatty acid molecules.

Function: Used for insulation and long-term energy storage.

(B) Phospholipids

Structure: 1 glycerol molecule joined to 2 fatty acid molecules and a phosphate group.

Function: Primary component of cell membranes.

(C) Steroids

Examples: Cholesterol, Estradiol, Testosterone

Structure: 4 interlinked carbon rings with functional groups attached.

Function: Hormonal functioning; some help control the fluidity of cell membranes

3. Nucleic Acids

Made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus

(A) DNA

Structure: Made of repeating units of 4 nucleotides. A nucleotide is made of a phosphate group, a pentose sugar (deoxyribose), and one of four nitrogenous bases (adenine, cytosine, guanine, or thymine). Double-stranded helix.

Function: Stores genetic information.

(B) RNA

Structure: Made of repeating units of 4 nucleotides. The pentose sugar is ribose rather than deoxyribose. The 4 bases are adenine, uracil, guanine, and cytosine. Single-stranded.

Function: Transfers genetic information to ribosomes for protein synthesis, carries amino acids into place, and holds ribosomal subunits together.

4. Polypeptides

Made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen (occasionally sulfur also).

Structure: Polymers of repeating units of 20 kinds of amino acid. Amino acids are structurally similar except for one side chain that varies from acid to acid. Adjacent amino acids are joined by peptide bonds. One or more polypeptide may be joined to form a protein.

Function: Numerous functions: structure, enzymes, packaging, cell-to-cell communication, cell recognition, immune response

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14y ago
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The Four Macromolecules include Carbohydrate, Lipids, Nucleic acid, and Protein.

Carbohydrate are

Any of a group of organic compounds that includes sugars, starches, celluloses, and gums and serves as a major energy source in the diet of animals; they are produced by photosynthetic plants and contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually in the ratio.

Lipids:

Any of a group of organic compounds, including the fats, oils, waxes, sterols, and triglycerides, that are insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolar organic solvents, are oily to the touch, and together with carbohydrates and proteins constitute the principal structural material of living cells.

Nucleic acid: Any of a group of complex compounds found in all living cells and viruses, composed of purines, pyrimidines, carbohydrates, and phosphoric acid. Nucleic acids in the form of DNA and RNA control cellular function and heredity.

Protein: Any of a group of complex organic macromolecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually sulfur and are composed of chains of alpha-amino acids. Proteins are fundamental components of all living cells and include many substances, such as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies, that are necessary to the functioning of an organism. They are essential in the diet of animals for the growth and repair of tissue and can be obtained from foods such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, and legumes.

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13y ago
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Carbohydrates (sugars) functions as Energy producers. Fats or lipids serves as energy producer and structure membrane and insulation. Nucleic acids do the hereditary functions, codes RNA and proteins. Proteins play role in enzymes, receptors, body building, transport etc.

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Wiki User

10y ago
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The Four Macromolecules include Carbohydrate, Lipids, Nucleic acid, and Protein.

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10y ago
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to help provide energy

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Wiki User

15y ago
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lipid carbohydrtaes proteins nucleic acid

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Wiki User

12y ago
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the answer is that I can't give you one sorry, but I'm failing Biology

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Anonymous

4y ago
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Q: What are 4 of the functions of biological macromolecules?
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