Standard 3i Preknowledge
3i. Students know amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
CALIFORNIA FRAMEWORKS SUMMARY: Proteins are large single-stranded polymers often made up of thousands of relatively small subunits called amino acids. The bond attaching two amino acids, known as the peptide bond, is identical for any pair of amino acids. The chemical composition of the amino acid itself varies. Variation in composition and ordering of amino acids gives protein molecules their unique properties and shapes. These properties and shapes define the protein’s functions, many of which are essential to the life of an organism. The blueprint for building the protein molecules is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Biotechnology is advancing rapidly as more is learned about DNA, amino acid sequences, and the shapes and functions of proteins.