Proteins are polymers of Amino Acids, so are macromolecules. Some contain 100s of amino acids some contains several thousand.
Functions:
- Structure of plasma membranes
- Immune system
- Structure of chromosomes
Amino acids are built around a carbon atom which is attached to:
- a hydrogen atom
- an amino group (-NH2)
- a carboxyl group (-COOH)
- An 'R' group which determines the nature of the amino acid. The 'R' represents other atoms in the molecule.
Two amino acids joined together are known as a dipeptide, and many are polypeptides. When two or more peptide chains join to make a dipeptide or a polypeptide chain, a condensation reaction occurs. When they are broke apart, it is hydrolysis.
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