What is the monomer of proteins?

Amino Acids: The Building Blocks of Proteins

Proteins are polymers made up of smaller units called amino acids. Each amino acid has a central carbon atom bonded to four groups:

• An amino group (-NH2)
• A carboxyl group (-COOH)
• A hydrogen atom (-H)
• A distinctive R-group (also known as a side chain)

The R-group is what differentiates each amino acid from the others and determines its unique properties. There are 20 common amino acids found in proteins, each with a different R-group. These R-groups can be polar, nonpolar, acidic, or basic, influencing the protein's overall structure and function. Amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds, forming polypeptide chains which then fold to give rise to protein structures.