Question

The 4 groups of macromolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. Which of these groups are polymers and which are not? Explain your answer.

A) Carbohydrates and Proteins
B) Carbohydrates and Lipids
C) Nucleic Acids and Proteins
D) Lipids and Nucleic Acids

Answer 1

Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are considered polymers because they consist of monomers linked by covalent bonds, while lipids are not polymers since they do not form repetitive chains. The correct answer is C) Nucleic Acids and Proteins.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the four groups of macromolecules including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are polymers. This is because these molecules are formed by the repetitive linking of smaller subunits called monomers through dehydration synthesis, a type of chemical reaction in which water is released. For instance, carbohydrates are made from monosaccharides linked to form disaccharides or polysaccharides such as starch and glycogen. Proteins are composed of amino acids that form polypeptide chains through peptide bonds.

Meanwhile, nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, are long chains of nucleotides connected by phosphodiester bonds. In contrast, lipids are not considered polymers because they do not consist of repeating monomeric units but rather are composed of different types and combinations of molecules like fatty acids, glycerol, and other components that do not form repetitive chains.

Therefore, the correct answer is C) Nucleic Acids and Proteins. Lipids do not form true polymeric structures as they are not composed of identical or similar types of monomers linked in a chain.