6.4 The Building Blocks of Life

Macromolecules Large molecules that are formed by joining smaller organic molecules together.

Polymers Molecules made from repeating units of identical or nearly identical compounds.

Carbohydrates Compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a ratio of one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms for each carbon atom.

Lipids Molecules made mostly of carbon and hydrogen that make up the fats, oils, and waxes.

Amino Acids Small compounds made up of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and sometimes sulfur.

Protein A compounds made up of small carbon compounds called amino acids.

Nucleotides Small repeating subunits that made up nucleic acids.

Nucleic Acids Complex macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information.