The human body is comprised of four macromolecules that play crucial roles in overall survival. One group of macromolecules is carbohydrates which represent a crucial source of energy for body cells. Carbohydrates are located on the surfaces of cells as receptors and also aid in cell recognition ( Mader, Windelspecht & Cox, 2017) . They are further critical in the provision of support for the human body and other organisms. The macromolecules will be classified according to the monomers in a single carbohydrate molecule. The classifications are monosaccharides which represent the simplest form of carbohydrates. They cannot be hydrolyzed further to form simpler chemical compounds. Disaccharides are formed by the glycosidic combination of two monosaccharides, and polysaccharides contained numerous monosaccharides bonded by glycosidic linkages.
The other classification of macromolecules is lipids and is often in hydrophobic and nonpolar forms. They are hydrophobic meaning they cannot dissolve in water due to their nonpolar characteristic. They are classified as hydrocarbons that only include carbon-hydrogen bonds ( Mader, Windelspecht & Cox, 2017) . They include fats, phospholipids, waxes, and oils. Fatty acids and glycerol are the building blocks for fats and oils. They play numerous functions in the body and these include the storage of energy for long-term use often in the form of fats, act as building blocks for other hormones and they provide insulation for the body.
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Proteins are also macromolecules found in the human body. Their primary building blocks are amino acids and they are presented in four levels determined by the degree of complexity in the polypeptide chain. They are primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary ( Mader, Windelspecht & Cox, 2017) . These levels of proteins are linked in an intricate manner and any adjustment in the shape of the protein resulting from exposure to chemicals or changes in temperature will cause the loss of function or protein denaturation. Proteins act as enzymes, hormones, or carriers and provide body support to help in metabolism.
Nucleic acids are also classified as macromolecules and will comprise repeating units of nucleotides. The makeup of each nucleotide includes a phosphate group, a single pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base. The only two forms of nucleic acids are RNA and DNA ( Mader, Windelspecht & Cox, 2017) . They control and direct cellular activities such as protein synthesis and cell division.
Reference
Mader, S., Windelspecht, M., & Cox, D. (2017). Human biology (15th ed., p. 640). McGraw-Hill.
