Editing Macromolecule (section)

== Properties ==
{{More citations needed section|date=May 2013}}
Macromolecules often have unusual physical properties that do not occur for smaller molecules.{{how|date=March 2022|reason=such an openended statement}}

Another common macromolecular property that does not characterize smaller molecules is their relative insolubility in water and similar [[solvent]]s, instead forming [[colloids]]. Many require [[Salt (chemistry)|salts]] or particular [[ion]]s to dissolve in water. Similarly, many proteins will [[Denaturation (biochemistry)|denature]] if the solute concentration of their solution is too high or too low.

High concentrations of macromolecules in a solution can alter the [[reaction rate|rates]] and [[equilibrium constant]]s of the reactions of other macromolecules, through an effect known as [[macromolecular crowding]].<ref name="Minton">{{cite journal |author=Minton AP |title=How can biochemical reactions within cells differ from those in test tubes? |journal=J. Cell Sci. |volume=119 |issue=Pt 14 |pages=2863–9 |date=2006 |pmid=16825427 |doi=10.1242/jcs.03063|doi-access=free }}</ref> This comes from macromolecules [[excluded volume|excluding]] other molecules from a large part of the volume of the solution, thereby increasing the [[activity (chemistry)|effective concentrations]] of these molecules.