Notes: Macromolecule Table
Objective: Cell biology standard 1h –
Students will learn that most
macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins and nucleic acids) in organisms
(and the cells of organisms) are made
from building blocks
Organic Compounds
(carbon based molecules)
Macromolecules
(polymers)
Example  Function
Building Blocks
(monomer
subunits)
Monosaccharides
Carbohydrates
(polysaccharides)
Organic Compounds
(carbon based molecules)
Macromolecules
(polymers)
Example  Function
Building Blocks
(monomer
subunits)
Monosaccharides
Carbohydrates
(polysaccharides)
starch (a polysaccharide) 
Main energy storage in
plants
glycogen (a polysaccharide)
 Main energy storage in
animals
Glucose (a monosaccharide)
 Energy source for all
organisms’ cells
Organic Compounds
(carbon based molecules)
Macromolecules
(polymers)
Building Blocks
(monomer
subunits)
Example  Function
Lipids
Glycerol and
Fatty acids*
Organic Compounds
(carbon based molecules)
Macromolecules
(polymers)
Building Blocks
(monomer
subunits)
Example  Function
Lipids
Glycerol and
Fatty acids*
*Oil  Long term energy
storage in plants
*Fat  Long term energy
storage in animals
Organic Compounds
(carbon based molecules)
Macromolecules
(polymers)
Building Blocks
(monomer
subunits)
Example  Function
Lipids
Glycerol and
Fatty acids*
*Oil  Long term energy
storage in plants
*Fat  Long term energy
storage in animals
phospholipids  provides a
barrier between cell &
outside world
cholesterol  stabilizes cell
membrane
Organic Compounds
(carbon based molecules)
Macromolecules
(polymers)
Building Blocks
(monomer
subunits)
Example  Function
Protein
Amino acids
(is made of one or
more polypeptide
chains*)
* Amino acids
linked together by
covalent bonds
form polypeptide
chain)
Organic Compounds
(carbon based molecules)
Macromolecules
(polymers)
Building Blocks
(monomer
subunits)
Example  Function
Protein
Amino acids
(is made of one or
more polypeptide
chains*)
* Amino acids
linked together by
covalent bonds
form polypeptide
chain)
Structural proteins
provides physical structure to
cell (ex: cytoskeleton)
enzymes  catalyzes
(promotes) chemical
reactions in cells
antibodies defend against
infection
Organic Compounds
(carbon based molecules)
Macromolecules
(polymers)
Building Blocks
(monomer
subunits)
Example  Function
Nucleic
Acids
Nucleotides
Organic Compounds
(carbon based molecules)
Macromolecules
(polymers)
Building Blocks
(monomer
subunits)
Example  Function
Nucleic
Acids
Nucleotides
DNA (nucleic acid)  stores
hereditary information
passed from generation to
generation
RNA (nucleic acid) helps
manufacture proteins
Organic Compounds
(carbon based molecules)
Macromolecules
(polymers)
Building Blocks
(monomer
subunits)
Example  Function
Nucleic
Acids
Nucleotides
DNA (nucleic acid)  stores
hereditary information
passed from generation to
generation
RNA (nucleic acid) helps
manufacture proteins
ATP (nucleotide) In all
cells, ATP temporarily
STORES energy from
digested food. Cells then use
energy from ATP to power
metabolic cellular processes.