Which molecules serve as the building blocks of proteins?

Amino acids are the fundamental building blocks of proteins. Each protein is composed of a specific sequence of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds, which form during protein synthesis. The unique sequence of amino acids in a protein, determined by the genetic code, dictates the protein's structure and function.

Proteins play critical roles in the body, including catalyzing biochemical reactions as enzymes, providing structural support, and facilitating communication between cells. The structure of amino acids, which consists of a central carbon atom, an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a variable side chain (R group), allows them to combine in various ways to form an enormous diversity of proteins.

This highlights the distinctive role of amino acids in creating the vast array of proteins necessary for life, differentiating them from other biological macromolecules such as fatty acids, carbohydrates, and nucleotides, which serve different functions in the body. Fatty acids are primarily components of lipids, carbohydrates serve as energy sources and structural components, and nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.