Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids are organic molecules found in every living
organism. These macromolecules are large carbon based structures. The macromolecules are assembled by joining several smaller units, called monomers, together through a chemical reaction called dehydration synthesis. The resulting polymer can be disassembled through the complimentary process called hydrolysis.
Carbohydrates are used by living organisms as an important source of energy. Examples of carbohydrates include glucose, fructose, sucrose, galactose, ribose, deoxyribose, cellulose and chitin.
Lipids (Fats) Lipids are energy rich storage molecules. One gram of lipid stores twice as much energy as one gram of a carbohydrate.
Proteins are composed of amino acids. Proteins serve as the major building blocks of organisms. Proteins are large complex molecules that combine to form various components of living organisms such as muscle fibers, enzymes, and hemoglobin. Proteins are made of unique combinations of the twenty amino acid monomers. A string of amino acid monomers joined together by peptide bonds is called a polypeptide.
Nucleic Acids are RNA and DNA. DNA is the carrier of genetic information- specifically the code for making proteins. RNA aids in the process of synthesizing proteins.
