<h2>Summary of lessons so far</h2>
<p>Proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and <a data-lesson="lipids-2" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="biology-foundations" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/biology-foundations/lipids-2">lipids</a> are the four major classes of biological macromolecules. Biological macromolecules are large molecules necessary for <a href="https://app.ulearngo.com/tutorials/introducing-study-of-life/what-is-life">life</a> that are built from smaller organic molecules.</p>
<p>Macromolecules are made up of single units known as monomers that are joined by covalent <a data-lesson="hydrogen-bonds-and-van-der-waals-interactions" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="chemical-foundation-of-life" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/chemical-foundation-of-life/hydrogen-bonds-and-van-der-waals-interactions">bonds</a> to form larger polymers. The polymer is more than the sum of its parts. It acquires new characteristics, and leads to an osmotic <a data-lesson="gas-pressure-and-respiration" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="respiratory-system" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/respiratory-system/gas-pressure-and-respiration">pressure</a> that is much lower than that formed by its ingredients. This is an important advantage in the maintenance of cellular osmotic conditions. A monomer joins with another monomer with the release of a <a data-lesson="water-and-life-2" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="biology-foundations" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/biology-foundations/water-and-life-2">water</a> molecule, leading to the formation of a covalent bond. These types of reactions are known as dehydration or condensation reactions.</p>
<p>When polymers are broken down into smaller units (monomers), a molecule of water is used for each bond broken by these reactions. Such reactions are known as <a data-lesson="hydrolysis-of-biological-macromolecules" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="biological-macromolecules" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/biological-macromolecules/hydrolysis-of-biological-macromolecules">hydrolysis</a> reactions.</p>
<p>Dehydration and hydrolysis reactions are similar for all macromolecules, but each monomer and polymer <a data-lesson="biochemical-reactions" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="biology-foundations" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/biology-foundations/biochemical-reactions">reaction</a> is specific to its class. Dehydration reactions typically require an investment of <a data-lesson="biology-203-glossary-9" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="cell-metabolism" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/cell-metabolism/biology-203-glossary-9">energy</a> for new bond formation, while hydrolysis reactions typically release energy by breaking bonds.</p>
<h2>Glossary of Words</h2>
<h3>Biological macromolecule</h3>
<p>large molecule necessary for life that is built from smaller organic molecules</p>
<h3>Dehydration synthesis</h3>
<p>(also, condensation) reaction that links monomer molecules together, releasing a molecule of water for each bond formed</p>
<h3>Hydrolysis</h3>
<p>reaction causing breakdown of larger molecules into smaller molecules with the utilization of water</p>
<h3>Monomer</h3>
<p>smallest unit of larger molecules called polymers</p>
<h3>Polymer</h3>
<p>chain of monomer residues that is linked by covalent bonds; polymerization is the process of polymer formation from monomers by condensation</p>

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Summarizing Synthesis of Biological Macromolecules

Biology studies life and living organisms. Biology can be divided into different sections that cover the morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, and so on of living organisms.

Biology

Discover the different types and functions of biological macromolecules including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, and explore their structures and synthesis through lessons on hydrolysis, disaccharides, protein structures, and DNA double-helix.


Summarizing Synthesis of Biological Macromolecules

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