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Multiple Choice
What is the monomer unit of a protein?
A
Fatty acid
B
Nucleotide
C
Monosaccharide
D
Amino acid
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of a monomer: A monomer is a small molecule that can join together with other similar molecules to form a polymer. In the context of proteins, the polymer is the protein itself.
Identify the structure of proteins: Proteins are large, complex molecules made up of chains of amino acids. These chains are known as polypeptides, which fold into specific shapes to form functional proteins.
Recognize the role of amino acids: Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid has a central carbon atom, an amino group (NH₂), a carboxyl group (COOH), and a unique side chain (R group) that determines its properties.
Differentiate between the options: Fatty acids are components of lipids, nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, and monosaccharides are simple sugars that form carbohydrates. None of these are monomers of proteins.
Conclude that amino acids are the correct monomer units for proteins, as they link together through peptide bonds to form polypeptides, which then fold into functional proteins.