Answer:Weak bonds, such as hydrogen bonds, van der Waals interactions, and hydrophobic interactions, can hold large macromolecules together by providing a small amount of attraction between different parts of the molecule. These bonds allow for the formation of secondary and tertiary structures in proteins and nucleic acids.
For example, in proteins, hydrogen bonds between the peptide bonds of the amino acids can form the alpha helix and beta sheet secondary structures. These structures provide stability and allow for specific functions such as enzyme activity and antibody recognition.
In nucleic acids, hydrogen bonds between the base pairs of DNA and RNA can form double helix and secondary structures such as stem-loop structures. These structures play important roles in DNA replication and gene expression.
Additionally, hydrophobic interactions between nonpolar amino acids in a protein can cause them to come together, thereby excluding water molecules and forming a hydrophobic core, which is important in the formation of tertiary structure in proteins.