View source for Macromolecules

Macromolecules are long [[Polymer|polymeric]] [[Molecules|molecules]] formed by the combination (via&nbsp;[[Covalent bond|covalent bonds]])&nbsp;of many individual units known as [[Monomers|monomers]]. Organic macromolecules important in the body are [[Polypeptides|polypeptides]] (composed of [[Amino acids|amino acids]]), [[Carbohydrates|carbohydrates]] (composed of [[Monosaccharide|mono]]/[[Disaccharides|disaccharides]]), [[Lipids|lipids]] (composed of a combination of [[Glycerol|glycerol]], [[Fatty acids|fatty acids]] and [[Phosphate|phosphates]]) and [[Nucleic acid|nucleic acids]] (composed of [[Nucleotides|nucleotides]]). Lipids are somewhat different from the others in that they do not possess the ability to form long chains of repeating units, but are limited to forming smaller molecules such as [[Triglyceride|triglycerides]]. 

The joining of the individual monomers to form macromolecules is achieved through condensation reactions, which are catalysed by [[Enzyme|enzymes]]. The process of macromolecule formation is vital to living organisms, as it allows the creation of the higher structures that are required for life to continue.