Library / English Dictionary

MACROMOLECULE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any very large complex molecule; found only in plants and animals

Synonyms:

macromolecule; supermolecule

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("macromolecule" is a kind of...):

molecule ((physics and chemistry) the simplest structural unit of an element or compound)

organic compound (any compound of carbon and another element or a radical)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "macromolecule"):

protein (any of a large group of nitrogenous organic compounds that are essential constituents of living cells; consist of polymers of amino acids; essential in the diet of animals for growth and for repair of tissues; can be obtained from meat and eggs and milk and legumes)

carbohydrate; saccharide; sugar (an essential structural component of living cells and source of energy for animals; includes simple sugars with small molecules as well as macromolecular substances; are classified according to the number of monosaccharide groups they contain)

lipid; lipide; lipoid (an oily organic compound insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents; essential structural component of living cells (along with proteins and carbohydrates))

nucleic acid ((biochemistry) any of various macromolecules composed of nucleotide chains that are vital constituents of all living cells)

Derivation:

macromolecular (relating to or consisting of or characterized by macromolecules)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Various NMR methods that can be used to determine 3D structures of macromolecules.

(Multidimensional NMR Techniques, NCI Thesaurus)

The covalent addition of prenyl and multiprenyl residues to a macromolecule.

(Isoprenylation Process, NCI Thesaurus)

PPAR-gamma is a nuclear hormone receptor and a ligand-activated transcription factor that controls the expression of genes involved in macromolecule metabolism and cell differentiation, specifically adipocyte differentiation.

(Efatutazone, NCI Thesaurus)

Upon administration, imisopasem manganese mimics the activity of MnSOD and scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion, which prevents oxygen free radical damage to macromolecules such as DNA.

(Imisopasem Manganese, NCI Thesaurus)

EF5 is effective in accessing oxygen levels in tumor tissue through its adduct formation to intracellular macromolecules in the absence of oxygen.

(EF5, NCI Thesaurus)

Although the exact mechanism of action of bendamustine is unknown, this agent appears to alkylate and crosslink macromolecules, resulting in DNA, RNA and protein synthesis inhibition, and eventually the induction of apoptosis.

(Bendamustine, NCI Thesaurus)

The reactive parts of a macromolecule that directly participate in its specific combination with a drug.

(Drug Binding Site, NCI Thesaurus)

Bendamustine metabolites alkylate and crosslink macromolecules, resulting in DNA, RNA and protein synthesis inhibition, and, subsequently, apoptosis.

(Bendamustine hydrochloride, NCI Thesaurus)

In addition, nifurtimox-derived nitro anion free radicals may alkylate macromolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins, resulting in the disruption of their structure and function.

(Nifurtimox, NCI Thesaurus)

Connective tissue cells which secrete an extracellular matrix rich in collagen and other macromolecules.

(Murine Fibroblasts, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)