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Multiple Choice
Protein molecules are polymers (chains) of which of the following?
A
Amino acids
B
Monosaccharides
C
Fatty acids
D
Nucleotides
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of proteins: Proteins are macromolecules made up of smaller building blocks called monomers. These monomers are linked together in a chain to form the polymer structure of the protein.
Recall the specific monomers that make up proteins: Proteins are composed of amino acids, which are organic molecules containing both an amino group (-NH₂) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). These amino acids are connected by peptide bonds.
Differentiate proteins from other macromolecules: Monosaccharides are the building blocks of carbohydrates, fatty acids are components of lipids, and nucleotides are the monomers of nucleic acids. None of these are involved in forming protein polymers.
Recognize the polymerization process: Amino acids are linked together through dehydration synthesis, forming peptide bonds between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another. This process results in a polypeptide chain, which folds into a functional protein.
Conclude that the correct answer is amino acids, as they are the specific monomers that form protein molecules through polymerization.