What is a polymer of amino acid monomers called?

A polymer of amino acid monomers is called a protein. Proteins are essential macromolecules composed of long chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. The sequence and arrangement of these amino acids determine a protein's unique structure and function, making proteins incredibly diverse and vital for various biological processes, including catalyzing reactions (enzymes), providing structural support, and facilitating communication within and between cells.

In contrast, nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are polymers of nucleotide monomers and serve as the genetic material in organisms. Carbohydrates, which include sugars and starches, are polymers of sugar monomers (monosaccharides), and they primarily serve as energy sources and structural components in plants. Fatty acids are components of lipids and are not polymers; they are individual molecules that can combine to form larger lipid structures like triglycerides and phospholipids. Understanding these distinctions highlights the role proteins play among the various types of macromolecules in biological systems.