How are carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids synthesized from their basic building blocks?

The synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids from their basic building blocks involves a process known as dehydration synthesis or condensation reactions. In this process, a molecule of water is removed when two monomers (the basic building blocks) are joined together to form a larger molecule, such as a polysaccharide, protein, or lipid.

This removal of water forms a covalent bond between the monomers, effectively linking them together. For instance, in proteins, amino acids are linked through peptide bonds created during dehydration synthesis. Similarly, monosaccharides combine to form disaccharides or polysaccharides, and glycerol and fatty acids link to form lipids.

This fundamental mechanism is crucial for building larger macromolecules, which play essential roles in cellular structure and function. Thus, the process described accurately represents how these important biomolecules are synthesized.