The Basic Unit of Protein - Amino Acids
Proteins are found in our muscles, bones, skin, hair, and almost every part of the body. Proteins are also known as the building blocks of life because they are the most abundant molecules present in the body. Proteins are called natural polyamides because they are naturally occurring polymers. Proteins are large, complex molecules made up of long chain of monomers which are all amino acids. Amino acids are the basic structural unit of protein. An amino acid is a simple organic compound consisting of two functional groups, a basic group (Amine group ), an acidic group (carboxylic group- - COOH) with a variable alkyl group (R) that is unique to each amino acid.
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The body makes proteins through a process called protein synthesis. Protein synthesis requires adequate amounts of amino acids.
Molecules of amino acids join together through the amino group of one molecule and the carboxyl group of another molecule by eliminating a water molecule.