Question

Are macromolecules and polymers the same?

Answer 1

No, they are not necessarily the same.

Explanation:

The term macromolecules refers to large molecules that are built from smaller subunits. When all the subunits are of the same type the macromolecules are called polymers and the subunits are monomers. When the subunits are of different types they are simply referred to as macromolecules.

Examples of polymers:

• DNA: the monomers are all nucleotides
• Proteins: the monomers are all amino acids
• Carbohydrates: the monomers are all simple sugars

Example of macromolecule:

• triglycerides (fat): made of glycerol backbone and several fatty acid chains.

So all polymers are macromolecules, but not all macromolecules are polymers!