Proteins are the polymers of amino acids. Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. A protein is formed by linking many amino acids together through peptide bonds in a specific sequence, dictated by the genetic code.
Each amino acid contains a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a distinctive side chain or R-group. The sequence and arrangement of these amino acids determine the protein’s structure and function, making proteins incredibly diverse and essential for countless biological processes in living organisms.