Final answer:
Proteins constitute approximately 50% of a cell's dry mass, playing numerous vital roles in cellular and bodily functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proteins are essential components of cells and play a crucial role in various cellular functions. When considering the dry mass of a cell, proteins make up a significant fraction. While carbon is a major component of all macromolecules, accounting for about 50% of a cell's total composition, proteins specifically comprise about 50% of a cell's dry mass.
This is substantial, given that proteins are involved in a wide array of functionalities within the body, including regulating body functions, building muscles and bones, contracting muscles, fighting illness, transporting substances in the blood, and transmitting information between cells.