Final Answer:
The macromolecule in this example is a polysaccharide, specifically a disaccharide, formed by joining five glucose monomers through glycosidic bonds.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this macromolecule, the rings represent glucose molecules, each consisting of 6 carbon (C), 12 hydrogen (H), and 6 oxygen (O) atoms. Glucose is a monosaccharide, and when five of these monomers join together through a process known as dehydration synthesis, they form a polysaccharide. The specific type of linkage between these glucose monomers is a glycosidic bond, where a water molecule is eliminated during the formation of each bond.
To understand the composition, let's break down the molecular formula of one glucose molecule: C₆H₁₂O₆. When five glucose molecules combine, the resulting molecular formula for the polysaccharide can be expressed as (C₆H₁₂O₆)₅. In this structure, the individual glucose units are the monomers, and the entire chain is the polymer.
Polysaccharides play essential roles in living organisms, serving as energy storage molecules (e.g., glycogen in animals, starch in plants) or as structural components (e.g., cellulose in plant cell walls). The formation of macromolecules through repetitive monomeric units is a fundamental aspect of biological processes, contributing to the diverse functions of biomolecules in living systems.