The smaller units that are joined together to make a protein are called ______.Multiple choice question.fatty acidscarbohydratesnucleic acidsamino acids

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the question type: Multiple choice question about protein structure.
2. Consider the definitions of the provided options.

Relevant Concepts

1. Proteins are composed of smaller units known as amino acids.
2. Fatty acids are the building blocks of lipids, not proteins.
3. Carbohydrates are made up of sugar molecules, also not related to protein structure.
4. Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are made up of nucleotides and are not protein building blocks.

Analysis and Detail

1. Amino Acids: These are organic compounds that combine to form proteins. There are 20 standard amino acids that link together in various sequences to create a protein.
2. Other options do not contribute to the formation of proteins:
   • Fatty acids: Involved in lipid formation.
   • Carbohydrates: Energy sources and structural components in cells.
   • Nucleic acids: Play key roles in genetic information storage and transfer but do not form proteins.

Verify and Summarize

Given the definitions and roles of each option, the correct answer clearly aligns with the function and structure of proteins.

Final Answer

The smaller units that are joined together to make a protein are called amino acids.