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Multiple Choice
What are the building blocks of proteins?
A
Nucleotides
B
Monosaccharides
C
Fatty acids
D
Amino acids
Verified step by step guidance
1
Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. They are made up of smaller units called amino acids.
Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins. They consist of a central carbon atom, a hydrogen atom, an amino group (NH₂), a carboxyl group (COOH), and a variable R group or side chain.
There are 20 different amino acids that can be combined in various sequences to form a protein. The sequence and number of amino acids determine the protein's structure and function.
Proteins are synthesized in cells through a process called translation, where ribosomes read mRNA sequences and assemble amino acids in the correct order.
Understanding the role of amino acids as the building blocks of proteins is fundamental in biology, as proteins are essential for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.