The building blocks of proteins are _____.

The building blocks of proteins are amino acids. Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins, which are essential for various biological functions in living organisms. There are 20 different amino acids that can be linked together in numerous sequences to create a vast array of proteins with distinct structures and functions. Each amino acid contains a central carbon atom, an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a variable side chain (R group) that determines the characteristics and properties of the specific amino acid. The sequence and arrangement of these amino acids in a protein dictate its unique shape and function, making them critical to the biochemistry of life.