Which of the following is an example of a polymer made up of amino acids?

Which of the following is an example of a polymer made up of amino acids?

• A. Nucleic acids
• B. Carbohydrates
• C. Lipids
• D. Proteins

Answer: (D)

Proteins are the correct example of a polymer made up of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and they link together through peptide bonds to form long chains, known as polypeptides. These chains can fold into specific three-dimensional structures, allowing proteins to perform diverse functions within living organisms, such as catalyzing biochemical reactions (enzymes), providing structural support (collagen), or facilitating communication within and between cells (hormones). In contrast, nucleic acids are polymers made from nucleotide monomers, while carbohydrates consist of sugar units that form polysaccharides, and lipids are a diverse group of compounds that are primarily hydrophobic and do not form polymers in the traditional sense. Thus, the structure and function of proteins distinctly highlight their role as polymers derived from amino acids.

Proteins are the correct example of a polymer made up of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and they link together through peptide bonds to form long chains, known as polypeptides. These chains can fold into specific three-dimensional structures, allowing proteins to perform diverse functions within living organisms, such as catalyzing biochemical reactions (enzymes), providing structural support (collagen), or facilitating communication within and between cells (hormones).

In contrast, nucleic acids are polymers made from nucleotide monomers, while carbohydrates consist of sugar units that form polysaccharides, and lipids are a diverse group of compounds that are primarily hydrophobic and do not form polymers in the traditional sense. Thus, the structure and function of proteins distinctly highlight their role as polymers derived from amino acids.