The building blocks of proteins are amino acids. Amino acids are small organic molecules consisting of a central alpha carbon atom linked to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a variable side chain (R group) that differentiates each amino acid
. Proteins are formed when multiple amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds, creating long chains. This sequence of amino acids constitutes the primary structure of a protein
. There are 20 standard amino acids that make up proteins in the human body, with 9 of these being essential amino acids that must be obtained from the diet because the body cannot synthesize them
. The variety and arrangement of these amino acids give rise to the diverse structures and functions of proteins
. In summary:
- Building blocks: Amino acids
- Structure: Amino group, carboxyl group, hydrogen, and side chain attached to alpha carbon
- Protein formation: Amino acids linked by peptide bonds
- Number of amino acids in proteins: 20 standard types
- Essential amino acids: 9 types required from diet
This fundamental role of amino acids as the building blocks of proteins is well established in biochemistry
