AP Biology Macromolecules
Macromolecules Macromolecules The topic of macromolecules lends itself well to illustrate three integral themes woven throughout the text and course: There is a natural hierarchy of structural level in biological organization As one moves up the hierarchy, new properties emerge because of interactions among subunits at the lower levels Form fits function. Most macromolecules are polymers Polymer = (Poly = many; mer = part) Large molecule consisting of many identical or similar subunits connected together. Monomer = Subunit or building block molecule of a polymer. Macromolecule = (Macro large) Large organic polymer. Formation of macromolecules from smaller building block molecules represents another level in the hierarchy of biological organization.