Final answer:
Proteins are made from amino acids and serve various functions in the body, including structure, enzymes, transport, and immune responses. Dietary proteins provide the amino acids needed for protein synthesis, which is directed by the body's genetic material and occurs within our cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proteins are essential macromolecules and play a crucial role in the structure and function of all living cells. They are composed of amino acids, which are small monomer units linked together by peptide bonds. Proteins have various functions in the body, such as forming muscular and skeletal structures, acting as enzymes to speed up chemical reactions, transporting molecules, providing immune response through antibodies, and more.
Our bodies synthesize proteins using the amino acids obtained from the digestion of dietary proteins, which come from sources like meat, fish, legumes, and dairy. It's important to have enough protein in your diet because it supplies amino acids that are essential for your body's protein synthesis. There are 20 different amino acids that the body uses to make proteins, and some of these are essential, meaning they must come from the diet because the body cannot produce them on its own.