Final answer:
An example of a macromolecular complex is a ribosome, comprised of RNA and proteins, which translates mRNA into proteins. Macromolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids form through dehydration synthesis and break down by hydrolysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The interactions of macromolecules in cells often result in the formation of macromolecular complexes. An example of such a complex is the ribosome. Ribosomes are essential cellular machines made up of proteins and ribonucleic acid (RNA), which themselves are macromolecules. These complexes synthesize proteins by translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains. This process is a fundamental part of the cell's machinery for expressing genetic information.
Proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids (like DNA and RNA), and lipids are the four major classes of biological macromolecules. Each class serves essential roles in cellular structure and function. They are formed through a process called dehydration synthesis, where monomers join together by releasing water molecules, forming the polymers that make up these macromolecules. Conversely, polymers can be broken down into monomers through hydrolysis, which involves the addition of water molecules.