Question

1. constrained comparison table

complete the table below using no more than 8 words per cell.
macromolecule\tmonomer(s)\tone structural feature\tone function
carbohydrates\t\t\t
lipids\t\t\t
proteins\t\t\t
nucleic acids\t\t\t
follow - up:
which macromolecule was hardest to describe in only 8 words? explain why.

Explanation:

To complete the table, we analyze each macromolecule:

Carbohydrates

• Monomer(s): Monosaccharides (e.g., glucose)
• One Structural Feature: Ring - shaped (or "C - H - O ratio 1:2:1")
• One Function: Energy source (or "Structural support")

Lipids

• Monomer(s): Fatty acids + glycerol (or "No true monomer")
• One Structural Feature: Hydrophobic tails (or "Non - polar structure")
• One Function: Energy storage (or "Insulation")

Proteins

• Monomer(s): Amino acids
• One Structural Feature: Peptide bonds (or "3 - D structure")
• One Function: Enzyme catalysis (or "Structural support")

Nucleic Acids

• Monomer(s): Nucleotides
• One Structural Feature: Sugar - phosphate backbone (or "Double helix (DNA)")
• One Function: Genetic information (or "Protein synthesis")

For the follow - up question, a common answer is:

• Macromolecule: Lipids
• Explanation: Lipids have a more diverse and less well - defined monomer structure compared to the others. Also, their functions and structural features are more varied and less easily summarized in 8 words, as they include fats, oils, steroids, etc., with different roles and structures.

Answer:

To complete the table, we analyze each macromolecule:

Carbohydrates

• Monomer(s): Monosaccharides (e.g., glucose)
• One Structural Feature: Ring - shaped (or "C - H - O ratio 1:2:1")
• One Function: Energy source (or "Structural support")

Lipids

• Monomer(s): Fatty acids + glycerol (or "No true monomer")
• One Structural Feature: Hydrophobic tails (or "Non - polar structure")
• One Function: Energy storage (or "Insulation")

Proteins

• Monomer(s): Amino acids
• One Structural Feature: Peptide bonds (or "3 - D structure")
• One Function: Enzyme catalysis (or "Structural support")

Nucleic Acids

• Monomer(s): Nucleotides
• One Structural Feature: Sugar - phosphate backbone (or "Double helix (DNA)")
• One Function: Genetic information (or "Protein synthesis")

For the follow - up question, a common answer is:

• Macromolecule: Lipids
• Explanation: Lipids have a more diverse and less well - defined monomer structure compared to the others. Also, their functions and structural features are more varied and less easily summarized in 8 words, as they include fats, oils, steroids, etc., with different roles and structures.