Blog
Save
Email
Print
ShareThe literal definition of the term macromolecule implies large molecule.
See also:
In the context of science and engineering, the term may be applied to conventional polymers and biopolymers (such as DNA) as well as non-polymeric molecules with large molecular mass such as lipids or macrocycles.
However, other large networks of atoms, such as metallic covalent networks or fullerenes, are not generally described as macromolecules. Because of their size, macromolecules are not conveniently described in terms of stoichiometry alone.
The structure of simple macromolecules, such as homopolymers, may be described in terms of the individual monomer subunit and total molecular mass.
Complicated biomacromolecules, on the other hand, require multi-faceted structural description such as the hierarchy of structures used to describe proteins. Substances that are composed of macromolecules often have unusual physical properties.
For example, individual pieces of DNA in solution can be broken in two simply by suctioning the solution through an ordinary straw.
This is not true of smaller molecules.
For more information about the topic Macromolecule, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:
Molecule — In general, a molecule is the smallest particle of a pure chemical substance that still retains its composition and chemical properties. In chemistry ... > read more
Polymer — "Polymer" is a generic term used to describe a very long molecule consisting of structural units and repeating units connected by covalent chemical ... > read more
Organic chemistry — Organic chemistry is the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of organic compounds that by definition ... > read more
Carbohydrate — Carbohydrates are chemical compounds that contain oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon atoms. They consist of monosaccharide sugars of varying chain lengths ... > read more
Biochemistry — Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes and transformations in living organisms. Biochemistry is the study of the structure and function ... > read more
Lewis structure in chemistry — Lewis structures, also called electron-dot structures or electron-dot diagrams, are diagrams that show the bonding between atoms of a molecule, and ... > read more
Resonance (chemistry) — Resonance in chemistry is a tool used (predominately in organic chemistry) to represent certain types of molecular structures. Resonance is a key ... > read more
Chemical compound — A chemical compound is a chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemically bonded chemical elements, with a fixed ratio determining ... > read moreRecommend this page on Facebook, Twitter,
and Google +1:
Other bookmarking and sharing tools:
more 