Question
What are the building blocks of proteins?
Answer
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Ula
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
Amino acids
Explanation
Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. They are made up of smaller units known as amino acids, which are the fundamental building blocks of proteins. There are twenty different amino acids that can be combined in various sequences to form a vast array of proteins. Each amino acid consists of a central carbon atom, an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a distinctive side chain (R group) that determines the characteristics and function of the amino acid. These amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds, forming a polypeptide chain. Once the polypeptide chain is formed, it folds into a specific three-dimensional shape to become a functional protein. The sequence and number of amino acids in a protein determine its shape, size, and function.