Final answer:
Amino acids are the monomers that make up proteins. They have a specific structure consisting of a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a variable R group.
Step-by-step explanation:
Amino acids are the monomers that make up proteins. Each amino acid has the same fundamental structure, which consists of a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a variable “R” group. The name "amino acid" is derived from the presence of the amino and the acidic carboxyl group.