macromolecule

American  

[mak-ruh-mol-uh-kyool] / ˌmæk rəˈmɒl əˌkyul /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a very large molecule, as a colloidal particle, protein, or especially a polymer, composed of hundreds or thousands of atoms.

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macromolecule British  

/ ˌmækrəʊˈmɒlɪˌkjuːl, ˌmækrəʊməˈlɛkjʊlə /

noun

1. any very large molecule, such as a protein or synthetic polymer

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macromolecule Scientific  

/ măk′rō-mŏl′ĭ-kyo̅o̅l′ /

1. A large molecule, such as a protein, consisting of many smaller molecules linked together.

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Other Word Forms

• macromolecular adjective

Etymology

Origin of macromolecule

First recorded in 1885–90; macro- + molecule

Example Sentences

It is most often used to study how macromolecules, cellular organelles, or cells are spatially organized, providing structural and contextual insights at sub-nanometer resolution.

From Science Daily

Plants and animals living in coral reefs release various substances, from complex macromolecules to individual amino acids, into the surrounding water.

From Science Daily

Ring polymers are macromolecules composed of repeating units, forming closed loops without free ends.

From Science Daily

Its nuclear envelope prevents unwanted proteins or harmful viruses from entering the nucleus and macromolecules from an uncontrolled escape.

From Science Daily

Self-replication has been postulated to be central to the emergence of life, but the vast majority of its known manifestations require complex macromolecules like enzymes.

From Science Daily