Macromolecule are polymers produced by living organisms. They are found throughout nature and play important structural and functional roles. Some common examples of macromolecule include cellulose, chitin, starch, proteins and nucleic acids. These macromolecule provide structure, protection and essential functions to living things.

Cellulose

Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer on Earth. It is a linear polysaccharide made of β-D-glucose units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. Cellulose gives plants their rigid structure and provides support. It is the main component of plant cell walls and allows plants to stand upright and grow tall. Without cellulose, plants would not exist in their current forms. Cellulose is important for various industrial applications as well, including paper, textiles, filters and packaging materials.

Chitin

Chitin is a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine found in the exoskeleton of crustaceans like crabs and shrimp, as well as in the cell walls of fungi and other invertebrates. It is second only to cellulose in abundance in nature. Biopolymers   Chitin provides structural strength and protection from pathogens for the organisms that produce it. It creates armor-like exoskeletons and cell walls. Chitin is also useful in various biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties.

Starch

Starch is a polymer of glucose that acts as an energy storage molecule in plants. It consists of two types of molecules - amylose and amylopectin. Starch is produced from sunlight through photosynthesis and stored in different plant parts like seeds, fruits and tubers. Plants use starch as a readily available glucose source. Humans and other organisms also consume starch-rich foods for energy. Starch has many industrial uses including cooking, pharmaceuticals and paper manufacturing.

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