Amino acids join to form what biological molecule?

Amino acids join to form what biological molecule?

• A. A protein (polypeptide chain)
• B. A lipid
• C. A carbohydrate
• D. A nucleic acid

Answer: (A)

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. When they link together through peptide bonds in a dehydration synthesis, they form a polypeptide chain. This chain then folds into a functional protein with a specific shape and role in the cell. Lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids are built from other types of building blocks—fatty acids and glycerol for lipids, sugar units for carbohydrates, and nucleotides for nucleic acids—so they aren’t formed by joining amino acids.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. When they link together through peptide bonds in a dehydration synthesis, they form a polypeptide chain. This chain then folds into a functional protein with a specific shape and role in the cell. Lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids are built from other types of building blocks—fatty acids and glycerol for lipids, sugar units for carbohydrates, and nucleotides for nucleic acids—so they aren’t formed by joining amino acids.