Final answer:
Proteins are unique compared to carbohydrates and lipids because they contain nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur, along with carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They are made of amino acids, which provide the structure and function necessary for the protein's role in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemically, proteins are similar to carbohydrates and lipids because all three nutrients contain atoms of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. However, proteins are unique because they also contain nitrogen, and, in some cases, sulfur. Proteins are composed of amino acids, which are the building blocks that join together to form the protein molecule. Each type of protein performs specialized functions in the body, and the variation in the amino acid side chains gives proteins a vast range of structures and functions.