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Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following: Understand macromolecule synthesis Explain dehydration (or condensation) and hydrolysis reactions As you've learned, biological macromolecules are large molecules, necessary for life, that are built from smaller organic molecules. There are four major biological macromolecule classes (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids). Each is an important cell component and performs a wide array of functions. Combined, these molecules make up the majority of a cell's dry mass (recall that water makes up the majority of its complete mass). Biological macromolecules are organic, meaning they contain carbon and are bound to hydrogen, and may contain oxygen, nitrogen, and additional minor elements. Dehydration Synthesis Most macromolecules are made from single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers. In doing so, monomers release water molecules as byproducts. This type of reaction is dehydration synthesis, which means "to put together while losing water." Shown is the reaction of two glucose monomers to form maltose. When maltose is formed, a water molecule is released. The components of the linkage are upper case O upper case H from one glucose molecule combining with one upper case H from the second glucose molecule. Figure 3.2 In the dehydration synthesis reaction above, two glucose