Editing Macromolecule (section)

== Branched biopolymers ==
[[File:Raspberry ellagitannin.png|thumb|250px|right|[[Raspberry ellagitannin]], a [[tannin]] composed of core of glucose units surrounded by gallic acid esters and ellagic acid units]]
[[Carbohydrates|Carbohydrate]] macromolecules ([[polysaccharide]]s) are formed from polymers of [[monosaccharides]].<ref name="Stryer_2002"/>{{Rp|11}} Because monosaccharides have multiple [[functional groups]], polysaccharides can form linear polymers (e.g. [[cellulose]]) or complex branched structures (e.g. [[glycogen]]). Polysaccharides perform numerous roles in living organisms, acting as energy stores (e.g. [[starch]]) and as structural components (e.g. [[chitin]] in arthropods and fungi). Many carbohydrates contain modified monosaccharide units that have had functional groups replaced or removed.

[[Polyphenol]]s consist of a branched structure of multiple [[Phenols#Naturally occurring|phenolic]] subunits. They can perform structural roles (e.g. [[lignin]]) as well as roles as [[secondary metabolites]] involved in [[Cell signaling|signalling]], [[plant pigment|pigmentation]] and [[plant toxin|defense]].