Proteins are actually made up of substances called amino acids, not sugars, carbohydrates, or starches. Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). There are 20 different types of amino acids commonly found in proteins, each with different side chains that contribute to the unique properties and functions of the protein. These amino acids join together through peptide bonds to form a chain, which folds and interacts to form the three-dimensional structure of a protein.
