Which of the following best describes the building blocks of proteins?

• A. Amino acids
• B. Nucleotides
• C. Monosaccharides
• D. Fatty acids

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the structure and function of proteins. Proteins are macromolecules that play critical roles in biological processes, such as catalyzing reactions, providing structural support, and facilitating communication within cells.
2. Step 2: Recall that proteins are polymers, meaning they are made up of smaller repeating units called monomers. The specific monomers that make up proteins are amino acids.
3. Step 3: Compare the options provided in the question: Amino acids, Nucleotides, Monosaccharides, and Fatty acids. Each of these is a building block for different types of macromolecules. For example, nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids, monosaccharides are the building blocks of carbohydrates, and fatty acids are components of lipids.
4. Step 4: Focus on amino acids. Amino acids are organic molecules that contain both an amino group (-NH₂) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). They link together through peptide bonds to form polypeptides, which fold into functional proteins.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is amino acids, as they are the specific building blocks of proteins. This understanding is fundamental to grasping the structure and function of proteins in biology.