What are the building blocks of proteins?

The building blocks of proteins are amino acids. Each amino acid consists of a central carbon atom, an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a distinctive side chain (R group) that determines the properties of the amino acid. There are 20 different standard amino acids that combine in various sequences to form proteins.

Proteins play crucial roles in the body, including serving as enzymes, hormones, structural components, and transport molecules. The specific sequence of amino acids in a protein determines its unique structure and function, a principle reflected in the concept of the "protein folding" process.

Other options, such as nucleotides, monosaccharides, and fatty acids, are important biological molecules but serve different functions. Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, monosaccharides are simple sugars that make up carbohydrates, and fatty acids are components of lipids. By understanding that amino acids are specifically associated with protein synthesis, it becomes clear why they are identified as the fundamental building blocks in this context.